Pathologic effects of testosterone deprivation.
OBJECTIVE
Androgen deprivation therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. There are significant adverse effects associated with prolonged androgen deprivation therapy, with recent findings associating it with the metabolic syndrome and its associated health risks.


RESULTS
A review of the adverse pathologic effects of testosterone deprivation is performed. Recent findings associate androgen deprivation therapy with endocrine and metabolic disarray, specifically the metabolic syndrome, resulting in increased rates of diabetes and myocardial infarction in patients on testosterone deprivation.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased incidence of the metabolic syndrome in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy and the associated morbidity and possibly mortality require significant investigation into alternatives to complete testosterone deprivation and ways to counteract these adverse effects.
Sprenkle
Preston C
PC
Department of Urology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10028, USA.
Fisch
Harry
H
D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal