FSH and LH elevation after radiation for treatment of cancer of the prostate.

Regional radiation treatment of prostatic carcinoma produced significant increases in serum follicle-stimulating hormones at 3 and 12 months posttreatment from 6.5 +/- 0.5 to 15.9 +/- 0.9 mIU per ml and 19.5 +/- 1.2 mIU per ml (X +/- SE) respectively. Serum luteinizing hormone also increased at 3 months from 4.5 +/- 0.4 to 6.1 +/- 0.5 mIU per ml (X +/- SE). There were no changes in sex steroid-binding globulin, testosterone, or prolactin. The data indicate damage to the testes as a result of scatter from radiation treatment to the prostate.