Endometrial carcinoma in Turner's syndrome following prolonged treatment with diethylstilbestrol

A 27 year old woman with karyotype proven Turner's syndrome who received approximately 15 gms diethylstilbestrol over an eight year period for treatment of recurrent bleeding from congenital phlebectasia of the bowel and developed endometrial carcinoma is reported. Seven previously reported cases of Turner's syndrome who developed endometrial carcinoma after treatment with large doses of diethylstilbestrol are reviewed. Several unusual features in this group strongly suggest a causal relationship between diethylstilbestrol and the development of endometrial carcinoma and Turner's syndrome. The advisability of using estrogenic substances other than diethylstilbestrol for feminizing and maintaining feminization of patients with Turner's syndrome is discussed.