That is a desperate measure, but spreading prostate cancer is deadly, and some become impotent anyway from prostate-removal surgery. Such treatments should start at once if cancer cells are found in lymph nodes after prostate removal, Dr. Edward M. Messing of the University of Rochester Medical Center wrote in today's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Normally, doctors wait for further signs that the disease has spread, because the hormone-blocking treatments can cause impotence, weak bones, loss of muscle and personality changes.
Hormone treatment deprives the tumor of testosterone, which it needs to grow.
Hormone-blocking medicine is often used to reduce the pain of spreading disease, but doctors generally thought it was unlikely to improve longevity. The men were randomly assigned to undergo castration - or to be watched until their disease progressed. After seven years of follow-up, three of the men castrated had died of prostate cancer, compared with 16 of the men who were watched for further symptoms before starting hormone treatment. Cancer recurred in 41 of 51 men who got delayed treatment, compared with seven of 47 who immediately got hormone therapy. 2001 AzStarNet, Arizona Daily Star and its wire services and suppliers, and may not be republished without permission.