Could hormone drugs replace hernia surgery?
NCT ID NCT07604272
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 5 times
Summary
This early-stage trial tests whether anti-estrogen drugs (fulvestrant or anastrozole) can shrink inguinal hernias in men aged 50 and older. Thirty men with a symptomatic hernia will receive one of the drugs for 6 months. The main goal is to check safety and see if the hernia gets smaller on ultrasound.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Fulvestrant and anastrozole (anti-estrogen drugs)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a non-surgical way to treat inguinal hernias in older men.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 30 men, so it may not show any benefit. The drugs can cause side effects like bone loss or hormone changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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