Hepatic lesions in patients treated with synthetic anabolic steroids

Abstract

Hepatic abnormalities are described in 3 patients who received synthetic anabolic steroids. A child with Fanconi's anemia was treated for 4 yr and at necropsy the liver showed generalized hyperplasia, hyperplastic nodules, and a benign hepatoma. Two adults received only 3 mth therapy with synthetic androgens; in one there was generalized hepatic hyperplasia and in the other widespread nodular hyperplasia. It is suggested that anabolic steroids may induce tumors through intermediate hyperplastic lesions, a sequence similar to that seen during tumor induction by carcinogens in experimental animals.