Endocrine therapy, and specifically hormone deprivation therapy have become the mainstay in the treatment of breast and prostate cancers.
These treatments are associated with significant adverse effects that adversely impact quality of life.
Deprivation of both of these hormones are associated with hot flashes, decrease, libido, decreased sexual function, osteoporosis, fatigue, and altered mood.
Men treated with antigen deprivation, may experience: erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, reduced sex drive, fatigue, mood changes, increased risk of osteoporosis, depression, weight gain, and loss of muscle mass.
In women, the adverse effects of endocrine therapy include: hot flashes, fatigue, depression, decreased libido, decreased sexual function, mood changes, osteoporosis, and weight gain.
Methods to minimize hormone deprivation treatment related toxicity in prostate cancer and breast cancer, and still maintain high rates of disease control is under constant study.