Ethinyl Estradiol/Ethynodiol Diacetate

Previously 47 cases of benign liver tumor associated with oral contraceptives have been reported. Malignant transformation had occurred in only 1 case. This is a repot of an additional case. A 34-year-old woman had taken the oral contraceptive Bisecurin (ethynodiol ethinyl estradiol) for 5 years. A mass was palpable at the right lower margin of the liver. At laparotomy a yellowish-grey solid growth with a nodular surface was found beneath the hepatic capsule. The tumor and gallbladder were removed. Microscopically the lesion was classified as a hamartoma. At the Mayo Clinic 34 such nodules have been reported from autopsy material over a period of 30 years to 1951. They were small and aymptomatic. Nearly 1/2 were in males. Recently most cases have been in young women. The nodules are larger and usually cause symptoms. Findings support the suggestion that oral contraceptives might stimulate the growth of a preexisting liver nodule.