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Potential Health Risks for DES Sons

		Related Concerns
		Overview Potential Health Risks for Women Prescribed DES While Pregnant Potential Health Risks for DES Daugthers Potential Health Risks for DES Sons Potential Health Risks for Third Generation (Offspring of DES Daughters and Sons)

Research established that DES Sons were at an increased risk of non-cancerous epididymal cysts, which are growths on the testicles (Bibbo, 1977; Gill, 1979; Wilcox, 1995). Research has not found that DES Sons are at an increased risk for any type of cancer (Strohsnitter et al., 2001).

However, questions have been raised because laboratory animal studies demonstrated a relationship between DES exposure and an increased rate of a rare type of testicular cancer (rete testis) and prostate cancer (Newbold, 1985, 1987; McLaughlan, 1998). In addition, testicular cancer has been linked with exposure to abnormal levels of estrogen before birth (in the womb) (Panagiotopolou, 1990; Kappel, 1985; Rosing, 1984; Braun, 1995; Petridou, 1997), and testicular cancer is an increased health risk for men with undescended testicles - a condition shown by some studies to be associated with DES exposure (Moller, 1997).

Early studies on the link between testicular cancer and DES exposure produced mixed results. Several studies found an increased risk of testicular cancer among DES Sons (Henderson, 1979; Depue, 1983; Moss, 1986; Schottenfeld, 1980), but two other studies found no relationship between DES exposure and an increased risk for testicular cancer (Brown, 1986; Gershman, 1988). The most recent study found an increased rate of testicular cancer among DES-exposed men compared with unexposed men. However, the increased rate was not statistically significant, which means the higher rate of testicular cancer among DES Sons could have resulted from chance rather than exposure to DES (Strohsnitter, 2001).

Generally, the risk of prostate cancer increases as men grow older. While research continues, you should protect your health by staying informed and talking with a health care provider about screenings for age-related cancers.

Some studies have associated exposure to DES before birth with genital abnormalities in males. These include undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), misplaced opening of the penis (hypospadias), a small penis (microphallus), and growths on testicles (testicular neoplasia). Other studies have not found these abnormalities to be associated with DES exposure. No other health effects, with the exception of epididymal cysts, have been consistently found in DES Sons. However, ongoing studies sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) continue to monitor health problems among DES Sons. Future follow-up studies may uncover other health risks as DES Sons age.

Although laboratory animal studies of mice exposed to DES before birth (in the womb) suggested an increased risk of autoimmune disease in female mice, studies among humans have reported mixed results. One study indicated that autoimmune diseases occurred more often in women exposed to DES before birth (in the womb), known as DES Daughters, than in the general population. However, no one autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) occurred more often than others (Noller, 1988). Researchers will continue to explore this issue.

No studies of humans have documented consistent findings linking DES exposure to any psychological condition or sexual dysfunction. However, some laboratory animal studies suggested links between exposure to estrogens before birth (in the womb) and cognitive abilities. For more information refer to the topic "Psychology" in the DES Bibliography.

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