Danazol treatment of advanced prostate cancer: Clinical and hormonal effects

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Abstract
Danazol was administered to 19 patients with advanced prostate cancer. These patients were treated for periods ranging from 3 days to 18 weeks. There were no objective remissions, but three patients (15.8%) had objectively stable disease (N.P.C.P. criteria) with complete pain control for periods ranging 15–18 weeks. Seven patients experienced tumor flare reactions, one requiring withdrawal of treatment and one resulting in rapid clinical deterioration and death. Four other patients died within 3 weeks and, although they were already in the terminal phase of disease when treatment commenced, it is possible that the deaths were treatment related. This study indicates that danazol has only limited activity in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and is associated with a high incidence of tumor flare reactions with the risk of rapid clinical deterioration.