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)