Megestrol acetate in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.

Although current hormonal therapy of prostate cancer may not appear to have altered survival appreciably, there have been considerable changes that may significantly affect the future management of this disease. A number of new hormonal agents have been introduced that still require definition of their therapeutic efficacy. Megestrol acetate, a hormonal agent with multiple sites of action in androgen metabolism, has recently been investigated in the treatment of patients with metastatic and locally advanced disease, and in those patients whose disease progresses with other hormonal therapies. Megestrol acetate plus mini-dose diethylstilbestrol (DES) is associated with fewer side effects than standard-dose DES and has equivalent therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of patients with metastatic disease. In patients with locally advanced disease that may benefit from hormonal cytoreduction, megestrol acetate is effective and well tolerated. Megestrol acetate has a role in the palliation of patients with progressive disease despite initial hormonal therapy. Considerable controversy surrounds the therapy of carcinoma of the prostate; further studies are required to define optimal hormonal therapy.