Role of hormones including diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the pathogenesis of cervical and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract

The preponderance of evidence suggests that a venereal component plays a role in the pathogenesis of cervical neoplasia. While prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol may result in some intrinsic alterations of the metaplastic and dysplastic cells, preliminary data indicate that the rates of cervical dysplasia may not yet be appreciably different in exposed and unexposed women. The results of epidemiologic investigations about oral contraceptives are conflicting.