High Serum Prolactin Associated with Poor Prognosis in Carcinoma of the Prostate

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Abstract
Patients (70) with carcinoma of the prostate have had regular estimations of serum prolactin levels during a 10-mo. period, and were followed up for a further 6 mo. Of 21 patients who recorded at least 1 high serum prolactin, 10 (48%) died during these 16 mo., while of 50 with normal prolactin, only 2 (4%) died. Ten (21%) of the 47 patients on estrogen or anti-androgen therapy died, and 9 of these had a high prolactin. This contrasts with 2 (14%) deaths of 14 who had had either bilateral orchiectomy or radiotherapy to the prostate. One of the 2 who died had a high prolactin. An elevated serum prolactin in treated carcinoma of the prostate is associated with progression of the disease and a poor prognosis.