Plasma testosterone in patients receiving diethylstilbestrol

With accurate, inexpensive plasma testosterone assays now available it is possible to monitor the efficacy of hormonal manipulation in the patient with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. We monitored plasma testosterone in our patients receiving diethylstilbestrol (DES) 1 mg. per day. We found no statistical difference in mean plasma testosterone between patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate and castrated patients with prostatic carcinoma, all receiving DES, 1 mg. per day. We recommend that plasma testosterone be closely monitored in patients receiving hormonal therapy for adenocarcinoma of the prostate.