Extended therapy of stage D carcinoma of the prostate with oral estramustine phosphate

We treated 50 patients with stage D carcinoma of the prostate with 15 mg. per kg. per day oral estramustine phosphate for 3 to 24 months. We are able to evaluate 44 patients. Objective remissions were induced in 8 of the 44 patients (19 per cent) and subjective remission occurred in all objective responders and in 7 additional patients for a subjective response of 15 of 44 (36 per cent). No hematologic or renal toxicity was encountered. Transient nausea occurred early in half of the patients and was dose limiting in 3 patients. One case of hepatic toxicity was seen. Oral estramustine phosphate is well tolerated and long-term therapy is feasible.