Clinical effect of aminoglutethimide, medical adrenalectomy, in treatment of 43 patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma

The initial treatment of patients with Stage D prostatic carcinoma with orchiectomy or estrogens is successful in giving objective and subjective improvement for variable periods of time. However, after initial endocrine treatment patients generally relapse, and go on to further progression of their disease. However, a subgroup of approximately 22% of these Stage D prostatic cancer patients respond to either surgical adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy, indicating some degree of continued hormonal responsiveness. Forty‐three previously castrated patients with Stage D prostatic carcinoma were treated with 1000 mg of aminoglutethimide and 40 mg of hydrocortisone daily and have been evaluated using the criteria of the National Prostatic Cancer Project. Progression of disease after initial hormonal therapy has varied from 3 to 25 months. One patient has had a complete response, and continues in remission after 290 weeks of therapy. Partial objective responses have been observed in 6 patients, and 10 patients have remained objectively stable for an average of 35 weeks in this latter group.