This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Stilboestrol (DES, Diethylstilbestrol) which is a synthetic oestrogen, given in tablet form, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. By increasing the level of the female hormone, oestrogen, the production of testosterone is "switched off". This reduced level of testosterone can help slow down the growth of the cancer cells and may cause the cancer to shrink in size.
Side effects can include: blood clotting (thrombosis), fluid retention, breast tenderness or enlargement, lowering of libido and impotence, tiredness, nausea, mood swings and weight gain. Men with a history of heart disease or stroke should not take this drug unless on a full-dose anti-coagulation programme with Warfarin or other anticoagulant .
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
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- A diet for Chemotherapy
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Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list