Combined Oestrogen and Supervoltage Radiotherapy in Poorly Differentiated Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Twenty-three patients with poorly differentiated carcinoma of the prostate, which had been diagnosed cyto-logically from transrectal aspiration biopsy, were given combined oestrogen medication and radiotherapy. the oestrogens were 5 mg stilbestrol by mouth daily and/or 80-160 mg estradurin (polyestradiol phosphate) parenterally per month. Cobalt teletherapy was given in a mean tumour dose of 5500 rad over 5 to 7 weeks. the survival rate after 1 year was 78%. of the 15 patients who could be followed up for at least 2 years, 10 were still alive after 2 years (67%). the 3-year survival rate was 5 of 11 patients (45%). Though the series was too small and the observation period too short to permit conclusions concerning this therapeutic régime, the clinical benefit conferred on a substantial proportion of the patients and the rarity of complications have encouraged us to continue use of oestrogens plus radiotherapy in poorly differentiated prostatic carcinoma.