Bone Mineral Density and Cancer Recurrence in Patients With Early Stage Prostate Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Biopsy-confirmed early stage prostate cancer
• * Disease localized within the capsule
• * No evidence of regional or distant spread (i.e., T1-2, N0, M0 disease)
• * A cohort of patients must have undergone a prior radical prostatectomy
• Prostate specific antigen \< 12 ng/mL
• Gleason score ≥ 6
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Creatinine clearance ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• No Paget's disease
• No hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• No Cushing's disease
• No chronic liver disease
• No major health problems that would cause a significant reduction in mobility or activities of daily living
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior bisphosphonates, thyroxin, or calcitonin
• No prior agents that suppress PSA levels (e.g., finasteride)
• No prior androgen or estrogen therapy
• More than 12 months since prior glucocorticoids
• More than 12 months since prior herbal supplements that are known to lower PSA levels