Prenatal exposure to stilbestrol and adenocarcinoma of the female genital tract: The pediatrician's responsibility

Abstract

In 1970 Herbst and Scully1 reported seven cases of adenocarcinoma of the vagina in adolescents, of which six were of the clear-cell type. In a followup paper,2 an association was proposed between the occurrence of this previously rare tumor in young women and their exposure in utero to diethylstilbestrol (DES). This startling conclusion was immediately strengthened by reports of additional cases, and soon adenocarcinoma of the cervix also was linked to in utero DES exposure.3 These reports have been popularized by the media, and some obstetricians have recommended routine, repeated vaginal examination, biopsy, culposcopy, etc. for all females who were exposed in utero.4-6