Occurrence of primary hepatocellular cancer and peliosis hepatis after treatment with androgenic steroids.

S Afr Med J. 1976 Jul 24;50(32):1233-7.

Occurrence of primary hepatocellular cancer and peliosis hepatis after treatment
with androgenic steroids.

Kew MC, Van Coller B, Prowse CM, Skikne B, Wolfsdorf JI, Isdale J, Krawitz S,
Altman H, Levin SE, Bothwell TH.

Three patients are reported in whom treatment of Fanconi's anaemia with
androgenic steroids was complicated by the development of either primary
hepatocellular cancer (PHC) or peliosis hepatis. The first, a White woman aged 34
years, was found to have PHC after receiving first methyltestosterone and then
oxymetholone for a total period of 7 years. She died 4 months after the diagnosis
was made. The other 2 patients were White children who presented with peliosis
hepatis after receiving methyltestosterone and oxymetholone for 8 years and
oxymetholone for 5 years, respectively. Both died from their primary diseases
shortly after oxymetholone treatment was discontinued. Possible pathogenic
mechanisms involved in the development of these serious complications are
discussed and the therapeutic dilemma raised by their occurrence is emphasised.