Comparison of hormone therapy alone and in combination with chemotherapy of cisplatin and methotrexate in newly diagnosed patients with stage D2 prostatic cancer

Abstract

(Background) Prognosis of hormone-refractory prostatic cancer is dismal. We evaluated the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy in combination with hormone therapy in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostatic cancer. (Methods) From February 1984 to March 1992, 39 newly diagnosed patients with stage D2 prostatic cancer were randomized to orchiectomy plus diethylstilbestrol diphosphate or orhrectomy plus diethylstilbestrol diphosphate plus combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and methotrexate. (Results) There was no significant difference in survival or progression- free survival between the two groups. (Conclusion) Chemotherapy has not been proved to prolong survival or progression-free survival in patients who received hormone therapy.