Prostatic carcinoma: plasma kinetics and intraprostatic metabolism of testosterone in low-dose estrogen-treated patients in vivo.

Plasma kinetics, in vivo uptake, and intraprostatic metabolism of 3H testosterone was investigated in 9 patients with advanced carcinoma of the prostate. The metabolic effect of low-dose ethinyl estradiol was studied (estrogen suppressed testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone). The production rate of testosterone was lowered, the elimination of androgen from plasma delayed. The uptake of testosterone and metabolites by the prostatic carcinoma was suppressed. Estrogen did not alter significantly the intraprostatic androgen turnover.