Paraplegia and paraparesis due to prostatic cancer. Use of intravenous diethylstilbestrol diphosphate

Diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (Stilphostrol) administered intravenously is a safe, effective drug in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma. Its dramatic effectiveness in the amelioration of paraparesis and paraplegia from epidural metastases has been demonstrated in 62 per cent of patients receiving the drug in addition to laminectomy and/or hormonal manipulation. Diethylstilbestrol diphosphate was also effective in relieving bone pain associated with metastases in 93 per cent of patients. A unique combined chemo- and radiotherapeutic aspect of diethylstilbestrol diphosphate-P³² is suggested.