[Clinical experience with the depot estrogen Turisteron in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (author's transl)].

Turisteron is a depot estrogen with an average biological half-life of six days. It has the advantage compared to other oral estrogens that it can be administered once a week p.o. Forty late postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer received Turisteron. Overall 19 (47,5%) had a positive response. An objective remission rate (tumor regression of greater than 50%) was achieved in 12 patients (30%). To date the mean duration of response is 27 months for complete remissions and 10 months for partial remissions. The risk-response relationship for Turisteron in older patients is favourable compared to that of polychemotherapy and it is therefore recommended that Turisteron be used as the initial therapy of choice for patients with metastatic breast cancer who are more than 5 years postmenopausal. Indications and contraindications for Turisteron are discussed in detail.