• A synthetic form of the hormone estrogen that was prescribed to pregnant women between about 1940 and 1971 because it was thought to prevent miscarriages. Diethylstilbestrol may increase the risk of uterine, ovarian, or breast cancer in women who took it. It also has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina or cervix in daughters exposed to diethylstilbestrol before birth.
  NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
  U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
• A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen used in the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders. It was also used formerly as a growth promoter in animals. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), diethylstilbestrol has been listed as a known carcinogen. (Merck, 11th ed)
  NLM Medical Subject Headings
  U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
• A synthetic, nonsteroidal form of estrogen. A well-known teratogen and carcinogen, diethylstilbestrol inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, thereby blocking the testicular synthesis of testosterone, lowering plasma testosterone, and inducing a chemical castration.
  NCI Thesaurus
  U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
• Synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen used in the treatment of menopausal, postmenopausal, and other disorders sensitive to estrogens; an epigenetic carcinogen.
  CRISP Thesaurus
  National Institutes of Health, 2006
• Diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonsteroidal synthethic estrogen used as a drug and formerly used to promote growth of livestock. Unlike natural estrogens, DES remains active following oral administration. It is also administered as vaginal suppositories and by injection. DES breaks down more slowly in...
  Encyclopedia Britannica
  Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020