DES side-effects can be transmitted to subsequent generations
2003 Study Abstract
Small cell carcinoma of the ovary is rare in adolescence. The etiology of such tumors is unknown. Several reports suggest that transgenerational exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) may have deleterious effects on the genitourinary tract.
The authors describe a 15-year-old girl with small cell carcinoma of the ovary whose maternal grandmother had been taking DES while she was pregnant with the patient’s mother.
This case, while anecdotal, suggests that a transgenerational history of DES exposure should be noted, and that granddaughters with persistent abdominal pain even during childhood may need evaluation for genital tract abnormalities.
Sources
- Ovarian carcinoma in an adolescent with transgenerational exposure to diethylstilbestrol, Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology, NCBI PubMed, PMID: 12902917, 2003 Aug.
- Featured image credit Alex Boyd.
DES DIETHYLSTILBESTROL RESOURCES
- Source DES transgenerational effects studies.
- Diethylstilbestrol DES studies by topics.