[Increased secretion of prolactin after inhibition of dopaminergic receptors by metoclopramide in patients with cancer of the prostate].

The authors begin by stressing the importance of the role of prolactin in the metabolism of testosterone in the cells of the prostate. They studied three groups of patients: 9 patients with prostatic cancer, 15 patients with benign prostatic adenoma and 11 healthy young men. Inhibition of the dopaminergic receptors by metoclopramide only resulted in a significant increase in serum prolactin in the patients with prostatic cancer, while the serum prolactin level remained unchanged in the young men and in the patients with prostatic adenoma. The authors believe that this increased secretion of prolactin in patients with prostatic cancer is related to a decrease in the testosterone: oestradiol ratio. They suggest the use of bromocriptine in patients with prostatic cancer no longer responding to oestrogen therapy in the event of prolactin over-secretion. Some papers have reported the beneficial effect of bromocriptine on the general health of these patients.