Androgen deprivation therapy has been considered as one of useful treatment options for prostate cancer.
However, it presents several symptoms of "castration syndrome" as side effects, based on low serum testosterone concentration. The symptoms includes loss of libido and sexual interest, erectile dysfunction, general fatigue, decreased intellectual ability, depression, loss of muscle strength, increased abdominal fat mass, and loss of vigor. They are almost similar to the representative symptoms of late onset hypogonadism. Furthermore, side effects such as increased risk of fracture and metabolic syndrome caused by androgen deprivation therapy should be taken care, even though subjective complaints do not appear.
Written by:
Tsujimura A. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Reference: Clin Calcium. 2013 Aug;23(8):1185-90.
doi: CliCa130811851190
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23892220
Article in Japanese.
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