Complications of ADT for prostate cancer: Hot flashes

Abstract

Hot flashes are often a lasting and distressing side effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for men with prostate cancer. Hot flashes have been reported in as many as 80% of men with prostate cancer treated with ADT. In men treated with ADT, endorphins may be reduced because of suppression of testosterone levels. This reduction in endorphins may mediate the process of lowering the thermoregulatory set point and ultimately the activation of heat loss mechanisms, resulting in a hot flash. A variety of treatments have been assessed for managing hot flashes, including hormonal therapies, complementary treatments, and nonhormonal drug treatments, such as clonidine, gabapentin, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, for hot flashes, there are presently no highly effective mitigating interventions without adverse events.