title: Transdermal estradiol improves bone density when used as single agent therapy for prostate cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current androgen deprivation therapies for men with prostate cancer cause accelerated osteoporosis and a significant risk of osteoporotic fracture. We have recently shown that transdermal estradiol is an effective alternative for such patients. Here we report the impact of transdermal estradiol therapy on the bone mineral density of men with prostate cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer were treated with transdermal estradiol patches. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and correlated with computerized tomography and isotope bone scan findings at 6-month intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all measured regions bone mineral density increased with time. By 1 year mean bone mineral density +/- SEM had increased by 3.60% +/- 1.6% in the lumbar spine (p = 0.055), 2.19% +/- 1.03% in the femoral neck (p = 0.055), 3.76% +/- 1.35% in the Ward's region (p = 0.008) and 1.90% +/- 0.85% in the total hip (p = 0.031), respectively. Of 12 osteoporotic sites 4 had improvement based on World Health Organization grading. All other sites improved toward a better classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transdermal estradiol protects against bone loss in men with prostate cancer and may improve bone density in those at risk for osteoporotic fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology and Technology, Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ockrim
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Lalani
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Svensson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Blomley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Laniado
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Abel
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol