Adrenal Suppression in the Treatment of Carcinoma of the Prostate

Summary Experience of 26 patients with carcinoma of the prostate treated by adrenal suppression with aminoglutethimide is reviewed. 60% of hormone resistant tumours showed some response. A fall in plasma testosterone beyond that achieved by oestrogens was not observed. A high incidence of side-effects was noted. A limited role for aminoglutethimide in the management of prostatic carcinoma is suggested. Our thanks are due to the Consultant Surgeons, St Peter's Hospitals who referred their cases to us for investigation. We acknowledge with thanks the help of Dr I. F. Sommerville and Mr M. D. Mansfield, Department of Clinical Endocrinology, Chelsea Hospital for Women, who performed testosterone assays. Aminoglutethimide was supplied by Ciba Laboratories Ltd, Horsham, Sussex. This work was supported by a grant from the St Peter's Research Trust.