DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed prostate cancer

• Stratum 1 (androgen ablation therapy):

  • Bone metastases
  • Prior orchiectomy allowed
  • Prior or concurrent leuprolide and/or goserelin therapy allowed

• Stratum 2 (androgen ablation therapy):

  • No bone metastases
  • Prior orchiectomy allowed
  • Prior or concurrent leuprolide and/or goserelin therapy allowed

• Stratum 3 (no androgen ablation therapy):

  • No metastatic disease
  • Prior flutamide or bicalutamide therapy allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Calcium normal

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No concurrent high dose steroids

Radiotherapy:

• Prior radiotherapy allowed

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior radical prostatectomy allowed

Other:

• No concurrent bisphosphonates