LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH ANTIANDROGENS

Since the first report in 1966 by Scott and Schirmer on the clinical use of antiandrogens in patients with prostatic cancer, several studies have been published. Most of these deal with short-term treatment and include only a limited number of patients. Steroid antiandrogens have demonstrable progestational and antigonadotrophic effects, whereas the non-steroid "pure" antiandrogens mainly act peripherally on androgen-dependent accessory genital organs and thus preserve libido and sexual potency in most patients. Short-term treatment with antiandrogens have exerted responses similar to those achieved with conventional endocrine therapy. Because of relatively fewer side effects of these drugs, there is an increasing interest in assessment of the long-term effect, and some studies have been initiated.