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Prostate Cancer Hormone Side Effects

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Edward Weber, M.D. Medical Oncologist, describes the side effects of cardiac complications when receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy, ADT, also known as Hormone Therapy, for treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Video Developer: Dean Dubinsky
Website: ProstateCancerFree.org
Transcript:

Prostate Cancer Free Foundation.
Increasing Knowledge – Building Hope.
Edward Weber, M.D. Medical Oncologist, Prostate Cancer Results Study Group.

Men with prostate cancer are much more likely to die of cardiac disease and not from prostate cancer, unless the diagnosis is made at a very late stage. For that reason, a man’s cardiac history, his cardiovascular risk factors, and the choice of which drug to use for ADT are very critical issues.

Androgen deprivation therapy, ADT, the mainstay of treatment for years, is associated with a 10-20% increased risk of cardiac complications, such as a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. If a man has already had two important cardiac events before starting ADT the risk of another cardiac event is greatly increased. Surprisingly these serious problems can occur within the first 6 – 12 months.
Degarelix (Firmagon), the newer drug for ADT, is less toxic to the heart than leuprolide (Lupron), and, for many clinicians, is becoming the preferred agent for hormone therapy.

Every man before starting ADT needs to have a thorough evaluation for cardiac risk factors. This exam should focus on past history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, and the life-style factors diet and exercise habits.
In some men this pre-ADT evaluation will lead to choosing Firmagon over Lupron, or receiving the shortest period of drug exposure as possible, or beginning a program for modification of cardiac risk factors — or possibly avoiding the use of these drugs entirely.

Prostate Cancer Free Foundation.
www.prostatecancerfree.org

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