Cyproterone Acetate in Treating Hot Flashes Following Surgical or Chemical Castration for Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Prostate cancer patients who have undergone bilateral orchiectomy or medical castration (LHRH agonist drugs) and are experiencing hot flashes * Hot flashes are defined as: * At least 3 to 4 moderate to severe hot flashes per day or 21 per week at baseline * Present at least 1 month prior to study PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * Greater than 12 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/uL * Platelet count at least 75,000/uL * Hemoglobin at least 6.2 mmol/L Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.8 mg/dL * SGPT no greater than 96 u/L * SGOT no greater than 90 u/L * LDH no greater than 600 Renal: * BUN no greater than 42 mg/dL * Creatinine no greater than 3.39 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No cardiovascular risks (e.g., history of angina pectoris) unless controlled by medical or surgical therapy * No known history of thromboembolic disease Other: * Comprehend and understand English language * No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except treated squamous or basal cell skin cancer or superficial bladder carcinoma PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior antineoplastic or cytotoxic chemotherapy has been used Endocrine therapy: * At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior estrogens, antiandrogens (e.g., flutamide or bicalutamide), progestational agents, or corticosteroids have been used * No concurrent herbal medications with known hormonal ingredients (i.e., phytoestrogens) Radiotherapy: * Not specified Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * At least a 4 week washout period is required if prior clonidine or monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been used