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Osteoporosis and other adverse body composition changes during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer

  • Chapter
Prostate Cancer: New Horizons in Research and Treatment

Part of the book series: Developments in Oncology ((DION,volume 81))

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Abstract

Osteoporosis and other body composition changes are important complications of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer. Bilateral orchiectomy and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment decrease bone mineral density and increase fracture risk. Other factors including diet and lifestyle may contribute to bone loss in men with prostate cancer. Estrogens play an important role in male bone metabolism. Androgen deprivation therapy with estrogens probably causes less bone loss than bilateral orchiectomy or gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment. Bicalutamide monotherapy increases serum estrogen levels and may also spare bone. Lifestyle modification including smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol use, and regular weight bearing exercise are recommended to decrease treatment-related bone loss. Supplemental calcium and vitamin D are also recommended. Pamidronate (Aredia®), an intravenous bisphosphonate, prevents bone loss during ADT. Other bisphosphonates are probably ef fective but have not been studied in hypogonadal men. Androgen deprivation therapy increases fat mass and decreases muscle mass. These body composition changes may contribute to treatment-related decreases in physical capacity and quality of life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Cox 640, 100 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Matthew R. Smith

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  1. Matthew R. Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA

    Michael L. Cher

  2. Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

    Avraham Raz  & Kenneth V. Honn  & 

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© 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Smith, M.R. (2002). Osteoporosis and other adverse body composition changes during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. In: Cher, M.L., Raz, A., Honn, K.V. (eds) Prostate Cancer: New Horizons in Research and Treatment. Developments in Oncology, vol 81. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48143-X_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-48143-X_26

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-7352-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-306-48143-7

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