Prevention of body fluid retention by furosemide during estrogen therapy of prostatic cancer.

The usefulness of prophylactic diuretic therapy with furosemide was investigated in 6 patients with stages III and IV prostatic cancer who were undergoing diethylstilbestrol therapy. A significant increase was noted in sodium and water excretion, whereas outputs of chloride and potassium, and serum electrolyte concentrations, blood volume, blood pressure and body weight remained unchanged. The results demonstrate the value of diuretics in preventing fluid retention whenever large doses of estrogen are to be used in the treatment of prostatic cancer.