Complications of androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.
With the increasing indications for the use of androgen-deprivation therapy in the treatment of men with prostate cancer, side effects of the therapy deserve greater attention. Side effects such as hot flashes, decreased libido, decreased sexual function, and fatigue primarily affect the patients quality of life. Other side effects such as osteoporosis and changes in lipid profiles may also affect the patients overall health. Treatments such as estrogen, megestrol acetate, antidepressants, and bisphosphonates are useful in the management of many of the deleterious side effects of androgen deprivation. In addition, alternative management strategies such as intermittent androgen ablation and antiandrogen monotherapy may be useful in minimizing side effects caused by androgen ablation. Patients and physicians should be well aware of the potential side effects of androgen-deprivation therapy as well as the preventive and treatment strategies for these side effects in order to improve patients quality of life and health.
Holzbeierlein
Jeffrey M
JM
Department of Urology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 3016, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. jholzbeierlein@kumc.edu
Castle
Erik P
EP
Thrasher
J Brantley
JB
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004164:Diphosphonates; D016729:Leuprolide