Flutamide and other antiandrogens in the treatment of advanced prostatic carcinoma.

The various clinical trials suggest that the qualitative and quantitative responses of patients with Stage D prostatic carcinoma to antiandrogens are similar to those achieved with conventional endocrine therapy. These antiandrogens appear generally safe and many avoid the increased risks of cardiovascular or thromboembolic complications seen with estrogen therapy. Further, flutamide appears to have a lesser adverse effect on libido and sexual potency than do alternative therapies. Antiandrogens offer an alternative mode of therapy for previously untreated patients with advanced prostatic cancer but have produced no convincing benefits in hormonally refractory patients.