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Improved control of bulky prostate carcinoma with sequential estrogen and radiation therapy

Journal Article · · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)
Patients with bulky prostate cancer have usually been treated by palliative measures because the likelihood of tumor control with definitive irradiation has been low and the development of distant metastases high. The addition of estrogen to irradiation has not been shown to be of value. However, the method of estrogen administration may have been the cause for the apparent lack of benefit. In this study estrogen was used for two months prior to and concurrent with irradiation. Between 1975 and 1980, 25 patients with bulky prostate cancer received sequential estrogen and irradiation, 12 patients irradiation alone and six patients irradiation after having become refractory to long-term estrogen use. Eighteen of 25 (72%) treated by sequential estrogen and irradiation, 14/17 (82%) with estrogen responsive cancer and 4/8 (50%) with estrogen resistant cancer had a complete tumor response. Six of 11 (55%) patients treated by irradiation alone and 2/6 (33%) treated by irradiation for estrogen refractory cancer had a complete tumor response. Distant metastases was observed in 15% of patients when the primary tumor was controlled and 30% when there was persistent or recurrent local disease. The results with the use of estrogen prior to and concurrent with irradiation is encouraging. Estrogen may shrink the cancer and allow for a more favorable geometry for external irradiation.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles
OSTI ID:
6578741
Journal Information:
Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 10:7; ISSN IOBPD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English