Some effects of treatment with ethinyl oestradiol with or without polyoestradiol phosphate in patients with prostatic carcinoma

Eleven patients with prostatic carcinoma were treated with ethinyl oestradiol (Etivex) 50 micrograms three times daily with and 10 patients without 80 mg polyoestradiol phosphate (Estradurin) monthly. Both forms of treatment produced a significant decrease in the serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and a significant increase in the testosterone-oestradiol-binding globuline (TeBg). Serum prolactin was significantly higher at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment, in all patients studied, but the concentrations found at 12 and 18 months did not differ from those before treatment. One out of 10 patients treated with ethinyl oestradiol had congestive heart failure. Five out of 11 patients treated with ethinyl oestradiol-polyoestradiol phosphate had cardiovascular or liver complications. Three of the 5 had thromboembolic complications. It is concluded that ethinyl oestradiol given in combination with polyoestradiol phosphate, was not superior in decreasing serum testosterone when compared to ethinyl oestradiol given alone. Furthermore, the oestrogens used, elevated prolactin only, during the first 6 months of treatment. There were fewer complications using ethinyl oestradiol alone than when using ethinyl oestradiol combined with polyoestradiol phosphate.