Prostate cancer and androgen deprivation therapy: Metabolic, cardiovascular and psychological side effects

Abstract

Exposure to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) by prostate cancer (PCa) patients is increasing, either in early-stage and in metastatic disease. Frequently, ADT becomes a long-term treatment, lasting even more than 10 years, starting with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists, until the newest hormonal treatments as Abiraterone and Enzalutamide. As a consequence, ADT related adverse events occurred. We reviewed the medical literature using Pubmed search terms “prostate cancer”, “androgen deprivation”, “metabolic syndrome”, “cardiovascular diseases” and “psychological assessment”. The search was limited to manuscripts published in English language between 1999 and 2016, preferring more recent review articles. Metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, rather than PCa itself, are the most common causes of mortality, particularly in early stage PCa patients. All these adverse eff ects synergistically increase morbidity in patients taking ADT. Psychological-cognitive implications emerging during ADT result in a significant reduction of health-related quality of life of PCa patients. ADT is associated with several adverse events, which physicians andpatients should evaluate when recommending ADT. Multidisciplinary approach, with diff erent clinicians such as Urologist, Radiotherapist, Oncologist, Endocrinologist, Cardiologist, Psychologist, is mandatory for the suitable clinical management of patients with PCa submitted to ADT. Abbreviations: ADT: androgen deprivation therapy, BMI: body mass index, CV: cardiovascular, GnRH: gonadotropin releasing hormone, HDL: high-density lipoprotein, LDL: low-density lipoprotein, LHRH: luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, MS: metabolic syndrome, PCa: prostate cancer