[Orchiectomy and buserelin in combination with flutamide: comparative results in metastatic prostatic carcinoma]

In a prospective, non-randomized study in 44 patients with metastatic prostate carcinoma (D2), without previous hormone therapy, two alternative therapeutic courses to achieve complete androgenic blockade were compared. A first group (n = 29) was assigned to received Flutamide plus Buserelin, whereas the second group (n = 15) underwent orchidectomy, also in association to Flutamide. Both regimes were sustained without interruption, except when progression was evident, and both achieved castration levels of testosterone plasma titres. Mean follow-up duration was 13 months and 7 days, ranging between 2 and 36 months. There were no significant differences between both groups with regard to therapy objective responses and survival. Whereas the responses (CR + PR + E) were 93% in the LHRH analogues group and 86% in the orchidectomy group, overall survival was 66% and 67%, respectively. There were no secondary complications related to the surgical procedure nor adverse effects to drug therapy which required its cessation.