title: Pathophysiology and management of hot flashes.
abstract: Depending on their frequency and severity, hot flashes can be a major source of distress for individuals with cancer, particularly women with a history of breast cancer and men with prostate cancer. Characterized by increased skin temperature, skin conductance, and heart rate, hot flashes are associated with somatic, behavioral, and emotional manifestations. In this article, the authors review the prevailing theories on the pathophysiology of hot flashes and assess the major treatment interventions, such as hormonal agents, nonhormonal pharmacotherapy (including antidepressants), and complementary/alternative medicine options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dalal
authors.forename: Donna S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Zhukovsky
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011372:Progestins