Cyproterone Acetate in Treating Hot Flashes Following Surgical or Chemical Castration for Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Prostate cancer patients who have undergone bilateral orchiectomy or medical castration (LHRH agonist drugs) and are experiencing hot flashes Hot flashes are defined as: At least 3 to 4 moderate to severe hot flashes per day or 21 per week at baseline Present at least 1 month prior to study PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Greater than 12 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/uL Platelet count at least 75,000/uL Hemoglobin at least 6.2 mmol/L Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.8 mg/dL SGPT no greater than 96 u/L SGOT no greater than 90 u/L LDH no greater than 600 Renal: BUN no greater than 42 mg/dL Creatinine no greater than 3.39 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No cardiovascular risks (e.g., history of angina pectoris) unless controlled by medical or surgical therapy No known history of thromboembolic disease Other: Comprehend and understand English language No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except treated squamous or basal cell skin cancer or superficial bladder carcinoma PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior antineoplastic or cytotoxic chemotherapy has been used Endocrine therapy: At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior estrogens, antiandrogens (e.g., flutamide or bicalutamide), progestational agents, or corticosteroids have been used No concurrent herbal medications with known hormonal ingredients (i.e., phytoestrogens) Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior clonidine or monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been used