[The potential hormonal therapy of prostatic carcinoma]

Hormonal manipulation is still the most effective systemic treatment for prostate cancer. The alternatives to orchiectomy are discussed: estrogens, with their known cardiovascular side-effects, and the expensive LH-RH analogues and/or antiandrogens, the success of which depends heavily on the patient's compliance. With more intensive health care and more sensitive methods of diagnosis, not only is the overall number of prostate carcinomas diagnosed increasing, but also the percentage that need not be fatal. The timing of hormonal treatment and selection of patients are increasing in importance.