Complete androgen blockade as primary treatment for advanced metastatic cancer of the prostate

The results of a series of non-randomized studies suggest that complete androgen blockade, i.e. medical or surgical castration in association with an antiandrogen, is superior to castration alone as regard survival potential. This report presents 11 untreated patients (Stage T2-4, Nx, M1), who were treated with complete androgen blockade, orchiectomy and a pure antiandrogen (Flutamide 250 mg three times a day). The rate of subjective response was 100% and the median time to progression was 12 months. The objective response rate was 82% and the rates of partial remission at one and two years were 45% and 18%, respectively. The survival rates after one and two years were 91% and 53%, respectively, a result which is consistent with that of other studies on the survival of patients with metastatic cancer of the prostate treated with either diethylstilboestrol, orchiectomy or LH-releasing hormones. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that androgen blockade improves the survival of patients with advanced metastatic cancer of the prostate.