Oestrogens reconsidered

Oestrogen therapy or orchidectomy reigned supreme for the treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer for almost 40 years. In the last 15 years many alternative agents have been tested alone and more recently in combination. This contribution evaluates the results of some of these newer therapies considering relief of symptoms, toxicity, quality of life, survival, and benefit to the community. The results are compared with those of oestrogen therapy and with the way in which such treatment might be amended in light of more modern knowledge.