CARCINOMA OF PROSTATE - RESPONSE OF PLASMA LUTEINIZING HORMONE AND TESTOSTERONE TO OESTROGEN THERAPY

Nine patients with carcinoma of the prostate have been treated with large doses of oestrogens, and their plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and testosterone have been measured during treatment. There was an acute decrease in the levels of both hormones, so that after two to three weeks of treatment luteinizing hormone concentration had fallen by 53.5% and testosterone by 67.2%. This suppression was not sustained in all cases. It is concluded that though the acute effects of oestrogens on the suppression of androgen production may be mediated through the pituitary the effects are in general more complex, and escape from suppression may occur. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.