Metabolic changes in patients with prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the most effective treatment for this disease. The cornerstone of prostate cancer treatment is the inhibition of testosterone production, which interrupts testosterone-induced growth of the prostate tumour. A sharp decrease in testosterone, however, has several undesirable effects on the metabolic profile and bone metabolism and can also lead to fatigue, loss of libido, gynecomastia and anaemia, provoke vasomotor hyperaemia and generally affect the quality of life. To increase the good (long-term) survival of patients with prostate cancer, studying the side effects associated with treatment is important, and therefore, in every clinical situation, the benefits of ADT must be compared with the side effects associated with the treatment. This article focuses on the described metabolic complications of ADT, including obesity, diabetes, lipid changes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. It also contains practical recommendations for managing the side effects and complications based on the available guidelines issued by the medical professional community.