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The Effect of in Utero Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol

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Functional Morphologic Changes in Female Sex Organs Induced by Exogenous Hormones

Abstract

The alterations in the lower genital tract associated with diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure include cervical and vaginal ridges, benign glands in the vagina (adenosis), and exocervix (ectropion) and clear cell carcinoma. (Herbst et al. 1971; Scully et al. 1978; Herbst et al. 1974; Barber and Sommers 1974; Fetherston et al. 1972; Greenwald et al. 1971; Hill 1973; Kanton et al. 1972; Noller et al. 1972; Nordquist et al. 1976; Roth and Hornback 1974; Silverberg and De Giorgi 1972; Tsukada et al. 1972; Herbst et al. 1972; Pomerance 1973; Sandberg 1976; Stafl et al. 1974) These findings have widespread implications since it has been estimated that several hundred thousand young women were exposed to DES in utero in the United States between 1945 and 1970 (Heinonen 1973). Between 1% and 2% of pregnant women received DES during this period. This form of therapy was used mainly in the United States, but it was also used in a limited extent in parts of South America, Africa, and Australia.

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Authors
  1. R. J. Kurman
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  2. H. J. Norris
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Klinikum Mannheim, Morphologische Abteilung, Universitäts-Frauenklinik der Univ. Heidelberg, Postfach 23, 6800, Mannheim, West-Germany

    Gisela Dallenbach-Hellweg

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Kurman, R.J., Norris, H.J. (1980). The Effect of in Utero Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol. In: Dallenbach-Hellweg, G. (eds) Functional Morphologic Changes in Female Sex Organs Induced by Exogenous Hormones. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-67568-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-67568-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-67570-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-67568-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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