Abstract
	A coarsening theory is proposed which incorporates both size and shape changes for particles having a constant interfacial energy. The theory describes time evolution of the mean volume of needle-shaped precipitates. Deviations from the cubic coarsening law of the classical LSW theory are predicted with initial coarsening rates being significantly larger compared to those of spherical particles. Because of simultaneous shape coarsening the initially needle-like precipitates approach gradually the spherical shape and the associated lower coarsening rates. The theory can be simply extended to disc-shaped precipitates.