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Diethylstilboestrol (DES) exposure in utero
Author(s) -
Chanen William,
Pagano Ross
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1984.tb132898.x
Subject(s) - medicine , colposcopy , in utero , cervix , gynecology , vagina , obstetrics , referral , diethylstilbestrol , pregnancy , cervical cancer , surgery , cancer , fetus , family medicine , estrogen , biology , genetics
A clinical review of the first 200 patients who attended the DES Referral Clinic at The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, has been undertaken. To date, clear‐cell adenocarcinoma has not been detected in patients attending the Clinic. Fifteen per cent of patients who allegedly were exposed in utero to diethylstilboestrol (DES) showed no clinical stigmata. Vaginal adenosis was found in 41% of patients. On its own, cytological examination of vaginal smears was found to be unreliable as routine screening for detection of adenosis. Painting of the cervix and vagina with Lugol&s iodine proved to be a more reliable screening test. Colposcopy is recommended in all patients who are suspected of having been exposed in utero to DES.