Zolendronate for the Prevention of Bone Loss in Men w/ Prostate CA on Long-Term Androgen Deprivation

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed prostate cancer Stage III or IV disease Received at least 3 months of prior androgen deprivation therapy (no maximum amount/time) by either surgical or medical castration Medical castration may be by intermittent or continuous androgen suppression via single- or combined-drug androgen blockade Continued concurrent androgen deprivation therapy required throughout study participation No bone metastases by baseline bone scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 1 year Hematopoietic Not specified Hepatic Bilirubin less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST and ALT less than 3 times ULN No chronic liver disease Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other Fertile patients must use effective contraception No Paget's disease No Cushing's disease No hyperthyroidism No hyperprolactinemia PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer allowed Endocrine therapy See Disease Characteristics More than 12 months since prior suppressive doses of thyroxine or calcitonin More than 6 months since prior corticosteroids Concurrent corticosteroids allowed (after enrollment on study) Radiotherapy Prior radiotherapy for prostate cancer allowed Surgery See Disease Characteristics Other More than 12 months since prior bisphosphonate therapy (oral or IV)