TESTOSTERONE POTENTIATED RADIOPHOSPHORUS THERAPY OF OSSEOUS METASTASES IN PROSTATIC CANCER

Abstract

Testosterone potentiated radiophosphorus therapy remains a most effective form of treatment for patients with widespread, painful, osseous metastases from prostatic adenocarcinoma. Including our series in a total population of 174 patients, 86 per cent of the courses administered were effective in promptly relieving pain to a significant degree. This is not the treatment of choice when soft tissue metastases are the predominant feature, and extensive vertebral involvement with incipient cord compression should be approached cautiously if testosterone potentiation is to be employed. Depression of hematopoietic elements may occur, but is usually minimal, unless multiple courses are given; then, thrombocytopenia is the most serious sequela. This treatment combination deserves a prominent place in our therapeutic armamentarium for patients with diffuse prostatic carcinoma.