Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonist Plus Aromatase Inhibitor in the Treatment of Uterine Leiomyoma in Near Menopause Patient: A Case Series Study

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: There are many drugs for of symptomatic fibroids. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the well known drugs. Also, aromatase inhibitors are effective. All published studies surveyed the effect of one of these two drugs. In this study as the first study decided to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of GnRH agonists + aromatise inhibitor on the uterine fibroids. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective case series study was performed on 10 known cases of uterine fibroids late perimenopause, at least 3 myomas >5 cm, abnormal uterine bleeding and anemia due to fibroids, candidate for hysterectomy, no tendency to surgery. A single dose of Diphereline 11.25 mg, SR plus 2.5 mg of Letrozole daily for 4 weeks with add-back therapy + calcium carbonate were used. The second dose of Diphereline 11.25 mg, SR was used 3 months after the first injection. The patients were followed until 3 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 49.90 ± 1.66. The mean fibroid size reduced from 15.05 ± 57.20 cm to 13.56 ± 39.39 cm (P = 0.012) and fibroid volume reduced from 72.78 ± 110.6 to 50.96 ± 64.2 (P = 0.116). There was no signification changes in the serum level of hormones at the end of six months. Eight cases were menopause at the end of the study and hypoestrogenism symptoms did not happened in none of the cases until the end of 24 months. Except in one case, there was no need to do surgery on others. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of Diphereline + Letrozole probably could prevent surgery in cases that have multiple fibroids, perimenopause, anemic and candidate for surgery.