Effectiveness of Castration Versus Intravenous Estrogen Therapy in Producing Rapid Endocrine Control of Metastatic Cancer of the Prostate

Abstract

Nine men with histologically confirmed stage D cancer of the prostate were evaluated with serial serum testosterone levels after being treated with bilateral orchiectomy or i.v. estrogen. Bilateral orchiectomy produced castrate serum testosterone levels (.ltoreq. 50 ng/100 ml) within 2-6 h (mean 3 h) after surgery. I.v. estrogen therapy did not consistently produce castrate serum testosterone levels immediately but did significantly decrease testosterone within 12 h after infusion. Both forms of therapy are safe, produce a clinically effective response and offer advantages for patients with advanced prostatic cancer.