Definition: 'Diethylstilbestrol'
diethylstilbestrol (DES)
Type: TermPronunciation: dī-eth′il-stil-bes′trol
Definitions:
1. A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogenic compound. Sometimes used as a postcoital antipregnancy agent to prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum. The first demonstrated transplacental carcinogen responsible for a delayed clear cell vaginal carcinoma in female offspring of mothers who took the drug during pregnancy when the drug was erroneously thought to prevent threatened abortion.
Synonyms:
stilbestrol
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