Doxercalciferol Before Surgery in Treating Localized Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Candidate for prostatectomy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

21 and over

Performance status:

Not specified

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

WBC at least 4,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.4 mg/dL
AST no greater than 3 times normal

Renal:

Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL
Calcium no greater than 10.2 mg/dL
No idiopathic urinary calcium stone disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

No prior hormonal therapy for prostate cancer
No concurrent hormonal therapy, including luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists, antiandrogens, glucocorticoids, ketoconazole, finasteride, diethylstilbestrol, or progestins

Radiotherapy:

No prior brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics

Other:

At least 7 days since prior vitamin D therapy or calcium supplements
No other concurrent vitamin D analogues or calcium supplements
No concurrent magnesium-containing antacids
No concurrent thiazide-containing diuretics
No concurrent phenytoin, phenobarbital, glutethimide, digoxin, or digitalis