The risk of adverse events after diagnosis of prostate cancer

This article looked at the risk of adverse events such as heart disease, blood clots, strokes and fractures in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Treatments for prostate cancer can result in numerous side effects. For example, endocrine (hormonal) treatments can result in low bone density (weak bones prone to fractures), high blood sugar levels, and an increase in weight. Moreover, there is an increased risk of heart disease and strokes in these patients.

This study looked at 76,600 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Medical records of these patients were looked at to see if there were any characteristics, or specific treatments, which increased the risk of cardiac events (such as heart attacks), strokes and fractures.

Results from this patient analysis showed that 4 years after diagnosis, 17% of men had experienced at least one adverse event and 9% experienced more than one event. 49% of these events occurred in patients treated with endocrine targeted drugs (i.e. Anti-androgens, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs or antagonists). 31% of these events occurred in men who were not treated, but were only put under surveillance. The lowest amount of adverse events occurred in patients treated with surgery alone. This study also revealed that patients, who experienced a heart problem before they were diagnosed with prostate cancer, were more likely to experience additional adverse events after diagnosis.

In conclusion, this article showed that patients who previously experienced cardiac events, and those treated with endocrine targeted drugs, were more likely to experience adverse events after diagnosis of prostate cancer.

This study did not address which types of endocrine targeted therapies were used and in which patients. Information about other concurrent health problems (such as diabetes or hypertension), which are highly relevant to these adverse events, was also lacking.

Consult with your physician about how to reduce the risk for adverse events such as fractures, heart attacks and strokes.