The choice of estrogen preparations in the treatment of prostatic cancer.

A total of 154 patients with carcinoma of the prostate received estrogen therapy with diethylstillbestrol (DES), chlorotrianisene or ethinyl estradiol. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months the incidence of complications -- thromboembolic episodes, fluid retention and gynecomastia -- was recorded. Although the incidence of cardiovascular complications was significantly higher in the DES group, the differences in mortality between the groups were not significant. The differences in incidence of fluid retention and gynecomastia also lacked significance. All three compounds produced adrenal cortical hyperplasia as indicated by the increased serum cortisol values.