Anaemia in men receiving combined finasteride and flutamide therapy for advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of combined finasteride and flutamide therapy on haemoglobin and haematocrit values in men with advanced prostate cancer.

Patients and methods: Nineteen men, previously untreated by hormone therapy, with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate and clinical evidence of advanced disease, were treated with combined finasteride (5 mg/day) and flutamide (750 mg/day) for at least 6 months. Complete blood counts were performed before initiation and after 6 months of therapy.

Results: After 6 months of finasteride and flutamide therapy both haemoglobin levels and haematocrit decreased in all men, with a mean (sd, range) decrease of 16 (10, 3-42) g/L and 4.6 (2.7, 0.8-9.9)%, respectively.

Conclusion: Combined finasteride and flutamide therapy significantly lowers haemoglobin and haematocrit levels in men with advanced prostate cancer, and further study of this effect is warranted.