High serum prolactin associated with poor prognosis in carcinoma of the prostate

Seventy patients with carcinoma of the prostate have had regular estimations of serum prolactin levels during a 10-month period, and were followed up for a further 6 months. Of 21 patients who recorded at least one high serum prolactin, 10 (48%) died during these 16 months, while of 50 with normal prolactin, only 2 (4%) died. Ten (21%) of the 47 patients on oestrogen or anti-androgen therapy died, and 9 of these had a high prolactin. This contrasts with 2 (14%) deaths of 14 who had had either bilateral orchiectomy or radiotherapy to the prostate. One of the 2 who died had a high prolactin. It is concluded that an elevated serum prolactin in treated carcinoma of the prostate is associated with progression of the disease and a poor prognosis.