Results of hormone therapy with aminoglutethimide (Rodazol) in postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer

44 postmenopausal women with progressive soft tissue, osseous and/or pleuropulmonal metastases of breast cancer were treated with aminoglutethimide (Rodazol) and hydrocortisone. 40 of the 41 patients, evaluated for treatment results, were pretreated hormonally and 17 were additionally pretreated chemotherapeutically. Objective remissions were achieved in 8 of the total of 41 patients (20%) and in 7 of the women (35%), who had previously responded to tamoxifen. Pain reduction was achieved in 4 of 17 cases (23%) with skeletal pain as the main symptom. The response rate was lower than expected. Primary hormonal therapy with Rodazol cannot be recommended in the osseous type of metastatic spread.