Hormonal manipulation of pulmonary metastases from carcinoma of the prostate.

Chest roentgenograms and medical records were reviewed on 91 consecutive patients having orchiectomy for advanced carcinoma of the prostate during a 4-year period. Our purpose was to investigate the potential of antiandrogen therapy for inducing regression of prostate pulmonary metastases and respiratory difficulty accompanying lymphangitic spread. Patients encountered during the study period who had lung metastases but refused orchiectomy and were treated with oral estrogens were also included. Antiandrogen therapy was found to be effective in inducing regression of prostatic pulmonary metastases and respiratory distress accompanying lymphangitic spread in those patients who had no prior hormonal manipulation.