Chemotherapy Plus Hormone Therapy Versus Androgen Suppression in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Unresectable Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically proven acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Metastatic or locally advanced disease that either is not appropriately treated with surgery or radiation, or has recurred following previous "definitive" local therapy
No CNS metastases
No histologic subtypes, such as pure ductal or any component of small cell carcinoma
Elevated PSA (at least 1.0 ng/mL in patients with prior prostatectomy or 4.0 ng/mL in those with prostate in place)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

Not specified

Performance status:

Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

At least 3 years

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Conjugated bilirubin no greater than 0.8 mg/dL or total bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
Transaminase no greater than 4 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

No evidence of bifascicular block on EKG
No evidence of active ischemia on EKG
No prior history of transient ischemic attack
No evidence of congestive heart failure

Other:

No active peptic ulcer disease
No regular use of antacid or H2 blockers
No known or predicted achlorhydria
No concurrent use of terfenadine, astemizole, omeprazole, or cisapride
No second malignancy unless curatively treated
No history of deep venous thrombosis
No history of pulmonary embolism
No serious co-morbidity
HIV negative

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

No prior cytotoxic systemic therapy

Endocrine therapy:

Prior androgen deprivation therapy allowed if given for no more than 6 months to downstage primary
No androgen deprivation therapy within 1 year prior to study

Radiotherapy:

No prior cytotoxic systemic therapy (including systemic strontium-89 irradiation)
Prior definitive radiotherapy to the prostate and/or one metastatic site allowed
At least 8 weeks since radiotherapy to the pelvis
At least 3 weeks since radiotherapy to a single metastatic site

Surgery:

Prior prostatectomy allowed

Other:

No concurrent anti-anginal therapy or aggressive anticoagulants