Pre-Estrogen Breast Irradiation for Patients with Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Critical Review

Abstract

Patients (38) with prostatic cancer who received breast irradiation before oral estrogen administration were studied. The effectiveness of pre-estrogen breast irradiation in minimizing gynecomastia and/or pain was determined. Based on the literature, the incidence of estrogen-induced breast changes in 70%. Irradiation given before estrogen administration can prevent or minimize these changes in 89.3% of the treated patients. Histologic changes of gynecomastia are reviewed and recommendations for optimum radiation therapy technique are included.