Histological evaluation of benign prostatic hyperplasia treated by long-term administration of chlormadinone acetate...

Although the clinical effects of attempted nonsurgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia have been well documented, detailed histological evaluation of the effects of treatment appears to be limited. The effect of long-term administration of an antiandrogen, chlormadinone acetate (CMA), on benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated with histological comparison of two biopsy specimens, one before treatment and one after treatment. Secretory epithelium showed obvious regressive changes with occasional basal cell prominence after CMA treatment. Stromal elements, however, did not show any marked changes, except for occasional edematous loosening. Scores of multiple epithelial parameters tended to be correlated with clinical improvement in urinary obstructive symptoms, especially in patients with predominant glandular hyperplasia. These results suggest that long-term administration of the potent antiandrogen CMA to inhibit dihydrotestosterone-receptor binding might be a useful therapeutic maneuver in patients with glandular hyperplasia, without any deterioration of the stromal component.