[Hot flashes and hormonal treatment of prostate cancer]

Prog Urol. 1996 Feb;6(1):17-22.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Androgen suppression in the context of the treatment of prostatic cancer is responsible for hot flashes in 75% of patients, which alter the quality of life to varying degrees depending on the patient. They constitute a source of major discomfort in 30 to 40% of patients. The pathophysiology of this effect is now known and involves: sex steroids, central opiates and intrahypothalamic catecholamines. The incidence of hot flashes appears to vary according to the type of hormonal treatment administered. The various treatments available are not equally effective. Non-hormonal treatments are of little value. Hormonal treatments: oestrogens and steroidal antiandrogens are the most effective. Progestogens also appear to be just as effective or even more effective than these other agents, with negligible adverse effects at the doses used in this indication.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Androgen Antagonists / classification
  • Body Temperature Regulation / drug effects
  • Flushing / chemically induced*
  • Flushing / drug therapy
  • Flushing / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists