Diethylstilbestrol disulfate

Diethylstilbestrol disulfate (pronunciation: dye-ETH-il-stil-BES-trol dye-SUL-fate) is a synthetic, nonsteroidal estrogen that was formerly used in the treatment of various medical conditions. It is a disulfate ester of diethylstilbestrol, which is a synthetic form of the female hormone estrogen.

Etymology

The term "Diethylstilbestrol" is derived from the chemical structure of the compound, which consists of two (di-) ethyl groups attached to a stilbene molecule. The term "disulfate" refers to the presence of two (di-) sulfate groups in the compound.

Medical Uses

Diethylstilbestrol disulfate was primarily used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and certain types of breast cancer and prostate cancer. However, its use has been largely discontinued due to the discovery of its association with an increased risk of cancer in the daughters of women who took the drug during pregnancy.

Related Terms

Estrogen: A group of hormones that play an essential role in the growth and development of female sexual characteristics and the reproductive process.
Diethylstilbestrol: A synthetic form of estrogen that was formerly used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and certain types of cancer.
Breast Cancer: A type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.
Prostate Cancer: A type of cancer that occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.