[The treatment of benign pathological conditions of the breasts with progesterone and progestogens. The results according to the type of breast condition (260 case records) (author's transl)].

This work reports the clinical results which were obtained after treating 260 women who had pathological conditions of the breasts using a combination of a progestogen which was given by a generalised route (orally or by injection) and progesterone which was applied locally so that its effect would be percutaneous on the breasts. These results were evaluated according to the effectiveness of the treatment according to the different symptoms or groups of clinical symptoms and radiological findings which had been noted at the time of the first examination. A better therapeutic effect was found in cases of early lesions where oedema was the dominant factor (mastodynia) and glandular hyperplasia (diffuse polyadenomatosis). On the other hand, longstanding lesions (sclerocystic mastopathia) where sclerosis was marked showed a much more variable result of treatment with progestogens. Therefore its seems that benign conditions of the breasts should be treated early and particularly in the stage of mastodynia if development into irreversible sclerotic conditions is to be avoided. It also has to be carried on for a long time, especially if there are other risk factors for cancer which are associated with conditions in the breast. The prophylactic role of this treatment in regard to cancer of the breast is discussed.