Timing and choice of androgen ablation

Hormone therapy remains central to the management of advanced prostate cancer. Evidence has accrued to suggest benefits from earlier treatment. Trials which demonstrate significant improvements in disease-specific survival may be underpowered to show overall survival benefits, due to the effect of mortality from unrelated causes. Toxicity, particularly the risk of osteoporosis, causes increasing concern, particularly where many years of use may be contemplated as in early relapse after curative treatment. Strategies to reduce toxicity include use different drugs, notably antiandrogens and with renewed interest in oestrogens in low dose or administered parenterally, and deferred and intermittent treatment. Further improvements in drug development, reducing toxicity, and identification of the cause of hormone refractory disease and its prevention would revolutionise the use of hormone therapy. Currently, deferred treatment, used selectively and with careful follow-up, remains an option for selected patients.