A holistic approach to androgen deprivation therapy: treating the cancer without hurting the patient.
BACKGROUND
Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for advanced prostate cancer can be associated with side effects which may negatively impact quality of life (QoL) and induce serious medical problems.


OBJECTIVE
The aim is to give practical recommendations on how to monitor and counsel patients and effectively manage side effects based on relevant original articles, review articles and abstracts.


RESULTS
Urologists should be aware of side effects and adapt their practice patterns to rapidly recognize these and administer appropriate treatment. Proper counseling of ADT-treated patients is needed to help them recognize and prevent and/or manage side effects. Patients should be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle such as a healthy diet and physical exercise. In addition, bone mineral density and metabolic and cardiovascular parameters need to be carefully monitored.


CONCLUSIONS
Urologists should take appropriate measures to prevent and manage ADT-related side effects to promote the general health and overall QoL of patients.
Tombal
Bertrand
B
Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. bertrand.tombal@uclouvain.be
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life
D000726:Androgen Antagonists