If you are not familar with the estrogenic(s) drugs family for PCa therapy, they can be a great alternative or additional later on useage protocol in the arsenal of PCa treatments. Now there is a custom compounded formulated for the patient doseage amount (tailored via compounding of the estradiol drug in this gel method). Better than a patch, because patches need changing, shifting to alternative skin sites, can come off and only come in standard doseage levels, patients may need to wear multiple patches to get the right amount of estradiol for best results on there control of PCa.
DES, a man made compounded capsule has been found safe in 1-mg levels in patients when the patient is screened for clotting risks (INR protime clot test is ordered and checked), and when using aspirin or better yet coumadin (warfarin) to prevent any clots or DVT's from occuring. DES gets processed through your liver when taken, estradiol is absorbed through skin and by-passes the liver (to some this is a worthy foot note). So, if one has lots of worries on using DES, this can be handled by using estradiol patches and better now gels and now compounded custom doseage gels, you rub on like your arms and such.
Emcyt (estramustine) is another drug used in this family of estrogenics, cost much more than DES (cause DES has no patents anymore and is cheap). This one may have some more side effects to consider, but can work well. This is the drug Dr. Fred Lee used on himself, he is around 32+ yrs. now even though still considered incureable, he functions well in old age and still works at his practice doing color doppler ultrasound and guided biopsies using the same.
This new estradiol gel is available in Virgina and here is the website:
http://www.bhr-pharma.com/research/prostate-cancer.html
Some of the noteworthy things on estrogenic drugs, can work when LHRH or casodex fails to control PSA levels (can work on hrpca to some degree or for a while, varies alot patient to patient). It doesn't ruin bone density as does LHRH drugs, this assists bone activities (osteoblasts/onconoclasts stuff you can read up on this). Doesn't ruin your memory they claim too, like some other drugs can do. Can cost much less and not require office visits (hhmmmm.....that sounds non-profittable doesn't it?). Friend of mine just put in to get this and get away from patches or other gels that were not compounded to specific doseage level desired or needed. I don't know the costs, it would be more than standard gels is my guess. If you wish to search for estradiol patches or standard gel or emcyt see low prices at (Canadian website, processes U.S. scripts and prices in US dollars): www.northdrugstore.com (low prices on anything you might need) Usually $10 shipping too and can do refills on scripts, easily. I like seeing patients get choices and a fair shake at what types of protocols they might wish to do. Also, side effects on these (especially gels or patches) can be little to nothing....another big thing to think about, in your quality of life. I think this concept useage will gain more acceptance.