[The effect of combined endocrine therapy on prostate and testis]

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi. 1999 Apr;37(4):231-4.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Objective: To study the pathological changes of the effect of combined endocrine therapy on normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic adenocarcinoma and testis.

Methods: 11 radical prostatectomy specimens, 3 core-needle biopsies of prostate and 3 testes obtained after at least 3 months of enatone-flutamide inhibition therapy were studied. Step-section was performed on radical specimens and average 16 sections per case were reviewed. PSA, PSAP and AE1/AE3 were immunostained on 14 cases of prostate cancer and a comparative study pre- and post-treatment was made.

Results: No residual tumor was recognized in 2 cases. Such characteristic changes were found in 9 cases as prominent acinar atrophy, decreased ratio of acini to stroma, stromal fibrosis, squamous metaplasia of carcinoma, cytoplasmic vaculation, nuclear shrinkage, and nucleolar shrinkage. No apparent change was discovered in 3 cases. Secretory epithelial atrophy and basal cell hyperplasia were the popular change in BPH and normal prostate. The expressions of both PSA and PSAP were markedly reduced in prostate carcinoma and nonneoplastic glands. Pathological downstaging of the tumor was not found statistically. Epithelial atrophy also existed in seminal vesicles and Leydig cells of the testes after hormone therapy.

Conclusions: Combined endocrine therapy results in histologically distinctive changes that can be found in both nonneoplastic and neoplastic prostate tissue. However, the drugs can not eradicate prostate cancer completely. Testis atrophy is the direct action of the therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Androgen Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage*
  • Atrophy / chemically induced
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Flutamide / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Leuprolide / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostate / drug effects
  • Prostate / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testis / drug effects
  • Testis / pathology*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Flutamide
  • Leuprolide