But many people who took the drugs began to lose fat tissue in their cheeks, arms, legs and buttocks.
Because fat tissue produces some estrogen, fatter women are at greater risk.
One factor that may contribute to the problem is the inflammation associated with fat tissue.
These fatty acids are stored in the body's fat tissues.
More likely, they said, is that the presence of fat tissue encourages tumor growth or increases resistance to treatment.
"The most amazing thing to me is that fat tissue has the capacity to form bone," he said.
This week, a different group of researchers said it had isolated adult stem cells from fat tissue.
The volume of fat tissue can vary throughout life.
This is a type of X-ray that can tell how much fat tissue you have and where it is.
Scientists no longer regard fat tissue as an inert entity.