GnRH Analogues in Prostatic Cancer: The Way Forward

The treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate poses a great challenge to urologists. Androgen ablation is still the basic therapy for advanced disease and can be achieved either surgically or chemically. In this setting GnRH agonists such as leuprorelin play an increasingly important role. One of the problems of androgen ablation is hormonal resistance, often occurring after 18-23 months, which necessitates second-line treatment of tumors. This publication discusses both current therapeutic issues and the urgent need for new, effective strategies to counteract this situation. Quality-of-life issues and the importance of epidemiological information are also given due consideration. This valuable exchange of information by experts in the field will be of interest to all clinicians and researchers concerned with advanced prostatic carcinoma.