EFFECT OF LHRH ANALOG ON THE SEMINAL-VESICLES EVALUATED BY TRANSRECTAL SONOGRAPHY

The maximum horizontal area (MHA) of the seminal vesicles was measured in 20 prostatic cancer patients by means of transrectal sonography (T RS) after LHRH analog treatment. MHA of the seminal vesicles changed i n parallel to the serum testosterone (T) level and decreased by 11-62% , compared with the baseline after LHRH analog treatment for 4 months. Two different patterns were observed for the change of MHA. In 9 case s, MHA of the seminal vesicles increased transiently and then decrease d gradually, while in the other 11 cases, MHA decreased continuously f rom the beginning with no significant increase. Thus, the direct and d ynamic response of the seminal vesicles to the change of serum T level was clarified. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.