CoastWatcher
Moderator
Androgen deprivation, also known as "chemical castration," is a treatment modality utilized in some cases of prostate cancer. It should be noted that what the authors of this study characterize as "recovery" in regard to testosterone levels is - frankly - absurd.
- This study describes the proportion of men who experienced hot flashes (flashes), and the testosterone level at onset, peak frequency and cessation of flashes after 12 months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in men undergoing curative-intent external beam radiation therapy (± brachytherapy boost). We also aimed to characterise testosterone recovery in this population.
- The median age and follow-up were 68 years and 6.1 years.
- Flashes were reported in 93% of men.
- Flashes began and reached peak frequency at a median time of 4.0 months from the first luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone injection when testosterone levels had fallen to castrate.
- The median time to cessation of flashes was 7.6 months after the cessation of ADT (last injection + 3 months), when the median testosterone had risen to 5.7 nmol/l.
- A resolution of flashes was reported in 99% of patients.
- Baseline testosterone was available in 338 patients (85%).
- The median baseline testosterone was 13.2 nmol/l.
- The median (95% confidence interval) time of testosterone recovery to thresholds of 5 nmol/l, 7.5 nmol/l and 10 nmol/l were 9 (9-10) months, 13 (10-15) months and 18 (17-19) months from the cessation of ADT.
- At the time of censor, 96, 94 and 91% of patients had recovered testosterone to thresholds of 5, 7.5 and 10 nmol/l.
