Tamoxifen reduces pain in prostate cancer

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Men who have beast enlargement and pain with prostate cancer can get relief from tamoxifen, according to a new study.
The drug bicalutamide is known to help men who have early stage prostate cancer. But it is linked with side effects - namely breast enlargement and breast pain.

In a study, researchers in Naples, Italy, tested the effect of tamoxifen, a drug used to prevent female breast cancer, and radiotherapy in reducing this side effect. The patients were followed up for 25 months and compared with those taking no treatment against the side effects of bicalutamide. The trial showed that tamoxifen was, in general, more effective in reducing the side effects of bicalutamide compared to radiotherapy. The findings may encourage more men to stick with this drug as a treatment for early stage prostate cancer.

Source
The Lancet Oncology online 13th April 2005

Please take a moment to give us your comments. For questions about Health matters you may check our "Questions & Answers" Portal and Service.