Mammography screening behaviors of women exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol.

Background: In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is a risk factor for rare development of vaginal and cervical cancer and may potentially be a risk factor for breast cancer. Mammography use in this population is relatively unknown; therefore, this study aims to determine if in utero DES exposure is associated with the frequency of mammography screening examinations while considering demographic and clinical factors.

Methods: Using combined DES cohort questionnaire data, self-reported mammography screening over the past 5 years (2001-2006) was analyzed in women aged ≥45 years.

Adverse health outcomes in women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol.

Background: Before 1971, several million women were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) given to their mothers to prevent pregnancy complications. Several adverse outcomes have been linked to such exposure, but their cumulative effects are not well understood.

Methods: We combined data from three studies initiated in the 1970s with continued long-term follow-up of 4653 women exposed in utero to DES and 1927 unexposed controls.

Preterm birth, fetal growth, and age at menarche among women exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen used in pregnancy during the 1950s and 1960s, provides a model for potential health effects of endocrine disrupting compounds in the environment. We evaluated prenatal exposure to DES, based on medical record review, in relation to gestational length, fetal growth, and age at menarche in 4429 exposed and 1427 unexposed daughters. DES exposure was associated with an increase in preterm birth (odds ratio (OR)=2.

Autoimmune disease incidence among women prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol.

Objective: Animal studies have suggested that prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure may alter immune system development and function including antigen self-recognition. A cohort study was conducted to investigate whether prenatal DES exposure might influence the incidence of at least some specific autoimmune diseases in women.

Methods: A group of women who were and were not prenatally exposed to DES have been followed for more than 25 years for numerous health outcomes including autoimmune disease.

Breast cancer screening in women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol.

Purpose: To determine if women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) are more likely than unexposed women to receive recommended or additional breast cancer screening examinations.

Methods: 1994 Diethylstilbestrol-Adenosis (DESAD) cohort data are used to assess the degree of recommended compliance of breast cancer screenings found in 3140 DES-exposed and 826 unexposed women. Participants were enrolled at four sites: Houston, Boston, Rochester, and Los Angeles.

Cervical screening and general physical examination behaviors of women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol.

Objective: To estimate whether women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES) report receiving more cervical and general physical examinations compared to unexposed women.

Materials And Methods: 1994 Diethylstilbestrol Adenosis cohort data are used to assess the degree of recommended compliance of cervical screenings found in 3,140 DES-exposed and 826 unexposed women. Participants were enrolled at 4 sites: Houston, Boston, Rochester, and Los Angeles.

Offspring of women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES): a preliminary report of benign and malignant pathology in the third generation.

Background: Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) causes epigenetic changes that may be transmitted to the next generation. Specifically, these studies show an elevated incidence of reproductive tumors in the female offspring of prenatally-exposed mice.

Methods: We assessed cancer and benign pathology diagnoses occurring in the offspring of women whose prenatal exposure to DES (or lack of exposure) was verified by medical record.

The association between in utero cigarette smoke exposure and age at menopause.

Menopause onset, on average, occurs earlier among women who smoke cigarettes than among women who do not smoke. Prenatal smoke exposure may also influence age at menopause through possible effects on follicle production in utero. Smoking information was obtained from the mothers of 4,025 participants in the National Cooperative Diethylstilbestrol Adenosis (DESAD) Project, a US study begun in 1975 to examine the health effects of prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure.

Secondary sex ratio among women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero.

Background: Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen widely prescribed to pregnant women during the mid-1900s, is a potent endocrine disruptor. Previous studies have suggested an association between endocrine-disrupting compounds and secondary sex ratio.

Methods: Data were provided by women participating in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) DES Combined Cohort Study.

Preeclampsia risk in women exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol.

Objective: To assess whether preeclampsia risk is elevated in pregnancies of diethylstilbestrol (DES)-exposed daughters.

Methods: This study used data from the National Cancer Institute DES Combined Cohorts Follow-up Study. A total of 285 preeclampsia cases (210 exposed and 75 unexposed) occurred in 7,313 live births (4,759 DES exposed and 2,554 unexposed).

Time to pregnancy and secondary sex ratio in men exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol.

Little is known about the influence of prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure on time to pregnancy or secondary sex ratio in men. The authors evaluated these associations among men participating in the DES Combined Cohort Follow-up Study for whom exposure status was confirmed by medical record. In 2001, men provided data on their reproductive histories.

Cancer risk in women prenatally exposed to diethylstilbestrol.

Prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is associated with excess risks of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA), and breast cancer in older women. Whether overall cancer risk is also elevated is unclear. Total and site-specific cancer risks were evaluated in the DES Combined Cohort Follow-up Study using age- and calendar-year specific standardized incidence rate ratios (SIR), and age-adjusted incidence rate ratios (RR) comparing DES exposed and unexposed women.

Home study course: Fall 2003.

Objective: The Home Study Course is intended for the practicing colposcopist or practitioner who is seeking to develop or enhance his or her colposcopic skills. The goal of the course is to present colposcopic cases that are unusual or instructive in terms of appearance, presentation, or management or that demonstrate new and important knowledge in the area of colposcopy or pathology. Participants may benefit from reading and studying the material or from testing their knowledge by answering the questions.

Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA in 986 women studied for human papillomavirus-associated cervical neoplasia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with cervical histologic findings and possible interaction with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Materials And Methods: Nine hundred eighty-six women with a Pap test reported as high-grade intraepithelial lesion or with two smears reported as atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance or low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion referred for colposcopic examination were studied. All participants had a cervical Pap smear obtained and underwent colposcopically directed biopsy and endocervical curettage.

Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and risk of breast cancer.

It has been hypothesized that breast cancer risk is influenced by prenatal hormone levels. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, was widely used by pregnant women in the 1950s and 1960s. Women who took the drug have an increased risk of breast cancer, but whether risk is also increased in the daughters who were exposed in utero is less clear.

Age at natural menopause in women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero.

Age at natural menopause is related to several health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. Age at menopause may be influenced by the number of follicles formed during gestation, suggesting that prenatal factors could influence menopausal age. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a nonsteroidal estrogen widely prescribed during the 1950s and 1960s, is related to reproductive tract abnormalities, infertility, and vaginal cancer in prenatally exposed daughters but has not been studied in relation to age at menopause.

Menstrual and reproductive characteristics of women whose mothers were exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Background: In women, prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) is associated with adult reproductive dysfunction. The mouse model, which replicates many DES outcomes, suggests DES causes epigenetic alterations, which are transmissable to daughters of prenatally exposed animals. We report menstrual and reproductive characteristics in a unique cohort comprising daughters of women exposed prenatally to DES.

Lichen sclerosus involving the vagina.

Background: A review of the English literature since 1940 did not reveal a reported case of lichen sclerosus involving the vaginal mucosa. Diagnosis of lichen sclerosus involving the vagina must thus be a rare occurrence.

Case: This report presents the findings on a 54-year-old white woman with a history of lichen sclerosus involving the vulva.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the vulva: two case reports.

This report describes the histopathologic results of Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the vulva and options for treatment. We present two new cases demonstrating vulvar manifestations of disease and their course of treatment with a review of the literature. Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the female genital tract is rare.