Hormonal therapy options for patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen level after primary treatment for prostate cancer

Abstract

At this time, many treatment options exist for primary androgen-deprivation therapy. “Standard” options with long-term results on outcome include orchiectomy, monotherapy with a luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, and combined androgen blockade using an LHRH agonist and antiandrogen. All treatments are associated with some morbidity related to the reduction of circulating testosterone. For this reason, “alternative” regimens are under active study to determine whether equal outcomes can be achieved with lesser toxicity.