Measurements of prolactin and androgens in patients with prostatic diseases.

Testosterone (T), dihydrostestosterone (DHT) and prolactin (HPr) levels were determined in normal males and females, in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and in clinically stable patients with prostatic carcinoma (CAP), intact and orchiectomized. CAP patients were either untreated or on different modalities of therapy. The HPr levels were higher in prostatic cancer patients, in BPH patients, and in subjects on estrogen therapy. No significant differences were found between controls or patients treated with 5-Fu plus cytoxan. The T and DHT levels were decreased in all noncontrol subjects. The levels of DHT in intact, untreated CAP patients or those receiving 5-FU plus cytoxan were significantly higher than in BPH patients. Based on these observations, it appears that HPr could be involved with T and DHT in a feedback control role, especially in BPH. The alterations in these hormone levels in CAP treated or untreated patients are in marked contrast and must be evaluated further.