The serum levels of testosterone and prolactin in patients with prostatic carcinoma treated with various doses of Fostrolin and bromocriptin.

In 45 patients with newly diagnosed carcinoma of the prostate, 1509 radioimmunological assays (RIA) were done for serum testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH). The patients were divided into 4 groups and treated with gradually lowered doses of Fostrolin and bromocriptin. It was noted that after high doses of Fostrolin, T levels did not markedly decrease, and PRL concentrations increased manifold. Small doses of Fostrolin, however, caused a drop in T and PRL levels. In the light of the results of up-to-date investigations and of the role played by PRL in a higher incidence of prostatic tumours, employment of bromocriptin, a prolactin antagonist, in the treatment of prostatic cancer seems to be justified. Reduction of T concentration below castration level and attainment of trace PRL levels in response to small doses of Fostrolin and bromocriptin had a favourable effect on the clinical course of the malignant disease.