Effect of Androgen Blockade Therapy on Thymus Function in Older Patients Who Have Undergone Radical Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Underwent prior radical prostatectomy as local definitive therapy for prostate cancer

Meets criteria for 1 of the following strata:

Has received ≥ 9 months of androgen blockade therapy (either single-agent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone or combined androgen blockade) for serologic progression after surgery

Serologic progression defined as a rising prostate-specific antigen, which has risen serially on two determinations (from baseline) ≥ 1 week apart, and no objective evidence of metastatic disease
Prior radiotherapy for serologic progression allowed
Did not receive any form of androgen blockade therapy within the past 9 months
No metastatic disease by abdominal/pelvic CT scan and whole-body scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Able to tolerate CT scanning in the supine position
No prior medical condition known to have effects on the thymus, including myasthenia gravis, lymphoma, hyperthyroidism, or cachexia
No autoimmune disorders
No acute illness, including active infection requiring antibiotics

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics
No prior systemic chemotherapy
No prior immunological therapy
No prior single-agent antiandrogen (e.g., high-dose bicalutamide)
No prior or concurrent 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride), PC-SPES, or estrogen-containing nutraceuticals
No concurrent systemic steroid therapy (topical steroids allowed)