Effect of orchidectomy performed after cessation of estrogen therapy on serum testosterone concentrations in patients with prostatic carcinoma.

Serum concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined before and after orchidectomy performed at different intervals (2-29 months) after withdrawal of estrogen therapy in patients with prostatic carcinoma. Patients previously treated with estrogen for more than 3 years had low testosterone concentrations after estrogen withdrawal and the values were not significantly changed by orchidectomy. In contrast, in patients treated with estrogen for less than 3 years, the testosterone concentrations were below or within the normal values after estrogen cessation and following orchidectomy, the values were significantly decreased. In both groups of patients the LH and FSH values were within or above the normal range both before and after orchidectomy, but FSH was significantly lower in patients previously treated with estrogen for more than 3 years. In conclusion, orchidectomy performed after cessation of long-term estrogen therapy in patients with prostatic carcinoma is without value, since testosterone levels do not change despite cessation of estrogen treatment or after orchidectomy.