In a nutshell
The authors aimed to review the different types of hormone therapy and their effect on cardiovascular morbidity and death rates in men with prostate cancer.
The authors concluded that it was difficult to determine which type of hormone therapy affected the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and that further detailed research was required.
Some background
Hormone therapy is a common treatment used in men with advanced prostate cancer (cancer that has spread outside of the prostate gland). There are numerous types of hormone therapy. It may involve surgical castration (surgical removal of the testicles) or medical castration (hormonal therapy). The aim of this treatment is to reduce the production of male sex hormones, such as testosterone, to inhibit their effect on cancer cell growth. Hormone therapy has been linked to several side-effects. This includes weaker bones, loss of muscle mass and an increased risk of fractures. Some studies have also associated cardiovascular disease as a risk factor of hormone therapy, but further research is needed to determine this.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to review the impact of hormone therapy on cardiovascular risk in men with prostate cancer.
68 studies were reviewed for this study. 11 studies showed that antiandrogens (prevent the production of male sex hormones, such as testosterone) were associated with a 30% decrease in heart attacks when compared to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (reduces the production of male sex hormones). Combined androgen blockade (CAB – blocks male sex hormones) resulted in a 10% increased risk of stroke when compared to antiandrogens.
CAB was associated with a 10% decrease in all-cause mortality (death my any means) when compared to GnRH agonists.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that it was difficult to determine which type of hormone therapy affected the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and that further detailed research was required.
Published By :
Medicine
Date :
Jun 01, 2016
