Age18 Years+
Sexmale
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
* History of prostate cancer
* No evidence of metastatic bony disease\* NOTE: \*Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) allowed
* Meets one of the following criteria:
* Currently on treatment with androgen-ablation therapy in the adjuvant setting
* Rising PSA without other evidence of recurrent disease with planned treatment for at least 6 months
* No known osteoporosis or prior osteoporotic fracture
* Osteoporosis defined as bone density at the hip or spine of more than 2.5 standard deviations below the mean for young men
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age
* 18 and over
Performance status
* Not specified
Life expectancy
* Not specified
Hematopoietic
* Not specified
Hepatic
* SGOT or SGPT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Alkaline phosphatase normal OR no greater than 1.5 times ULN with a normal bone scan
Renal
* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
* No prior symptomatic hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia
Cardiovascular
* No active heart disease
* No congestive heart failure under active treatment
* No myocardial infarction within the past 5 years
* No coronary artery disease (CAD) with recent myocardial infarction
* Patients with a remote history of CAD who are only on medical treatment (e.g., antilipid agents) are allowed
* No prior thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis, stroke, or pulmonary embolism) or other known hypercoagulable state other than cancer
Other
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Triglycerides no greater than 250 mg/dL (treatment allowed)
* Able to complete questionnaire(s) by self or with assistance
* Able to swallow pills
* No prior hyperlipidemia (e.g., prior familial hyperlipidemia or fasting triglyceride greater than 250 mg/dL within the past 6 months)
* No sarcoidosis
* No parathyroid dysfunction
* No intolerance to bisphosphonates
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy
* Not specified
Chemotherapy
* No concurrent chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy
* See Disease Characteristics
* No concurrent systemic steroids
Radiotherapy
* No concurrent radiotherapy
Surgery
* More than 3 months since prior and no concurrent dental extraction, root canal, or dental implantation
Other
* No prior bisphosphonates
* More than 5 years since prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty