Effects of the aromatase inhibitor testolactone on human benign prostatic hyperplasia.

UNLABELLED: The aromatase inhibitor testolactone was used for endocrine treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Thirteen patients (mean age 79 years) with complete urinary retention (BPH stage IV) without improvement after 4 weeks of bladder drainage by suprapubic catheter were treated with testolactone 100 mg, b.i.d., for 6 months. Nine men (mean age 80 years) with identical conditions who did not receive hormonal therapy served as controls. Results, treatment group: In 7 patients spontaneous micturation reoccurred after an average treatment period of 8 weeks (group A); 6 patients continued to need the catheter (group B). Prostatic volume decreased in all patients, and an average volume reduction of 26% was found in group A, whereas in group B the decrease averaged 15%. Finally, the testosterone/estradiol ratio significantly increased in all patients during treatment. CONTROL GROUP: Prostatic volume did not change nor did spontaneous micturation occur during the whole observation period.