Subjects will be recruited from urologists' offices and the oncological practices of CINJ. This will be done by verbal communication through the office staff and with the distribution of a brochure briefly describing the study. If a person is interested, he will be given information that briefly describes the study and his name will be taken down. A research assistant will call him and set up a meeting, preferably at the same time he is scheduled to see his physician. At that meeting, a research assistant will go over the consent form with him and cover all questions concerning the study. Eligibility (based on history) will also be verified at this meeting. If he wishes to participate, he will be instructed to sign the consent and an appointment for the blood tests and DXA scan will be arranged.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Biopsy-confirmed early stage prostate cancer

  • Disease localized within the capsule
  • No evidence of regional or distant spread (i.e., T1-2, N0, M0 disease)
  • A cohort of patients must have undergone a prior radical prostatectomy
• Prostate specific antigen < 12 ng/mL
• Gleason score ≥ 6

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Creatinine clearance ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
• No Paget's disease
• No hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• No Cushing's disease
• No chronic liver disease
• No major health problems that would cause a significant reduction in mobility or activities of daily living

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior bisphosphonates, thyroxin, or calcitonin
• No prior agents that suppress PSA levels (e.g., finasteride)
• No prior androgen or estrogen therapy
• More than 12 months since prior glucocorticoids
• More than 12 months since prior herbal supplements that are known to lower PSA levels