[Cyproterone acetate in the treatment of post-orchiectomy flushing]

Out of 17 patients who had been submitted to subcapsular orchidectomy as the primary treatment of cancer of the prostate, postorchiectomy flushing was found in eight, corresponding to 47%. Six of the patients were treated with cyproterone acetate in a dosage of 50-100 mg daily. In all of these clinically significant reduction in the frequency and duration of the flushing was found. In four out of five patients with possible recurrent flushing after withdrawal of cyproterone acetate, recommencement of the treatment proved necessary. Administration of cyproterone acetate appears to be equally effective in a dosage of 100 mg daily as in a dosage of 300 mg daily and this reduces the side effects and expenses considerably. If it is possible to obtain a more extensive patient material without hormone treatment, a placebo-controlled investigation with the reduced dosage is desirable.