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

Inclusion Criteria

• •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