UNJ Feb 2006-13.ps

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 230,000 new cases of prostate cancer will occur in the United States in 2005. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, with an estimated 29,900 deaths in 2004 (American Cancer Institute, 2004). The standard palliative treatment for men with advanced disease is testosterone suppression, which can be accomplished through bilateral orchiectomy or through the administration of estrogens or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues (Sartor et al., 2003). Common adverse effects associated with the use of androgen ablation in men with prostate cancer include sexual dysfunction; gynecomastia; changes in body composition, metabolism, and the cardiovascular system; osteoporosis; anemia; psychiatric and cognitive disorders; fatigue and overall diminished quality of life; and hot flashes (Chen & Petrylak, 2004). The incidence of hot flashes in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy has been estimated at 55% to 80%; however, the true incidence of hot flashes secondary to hormone Hot flashes are a common problem in men who undergo orchiectomy or treatment with androgen ablation therapy for prostate cancer. The analysis of this symptom has relied on the use of subjective tools such as patient diaries, but such approaches have been associated with problems in validity and reliability. Although developed to measure the impact of hot flashes in breast cancer survivors, the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scales (HFRDIS) exhibited high internal consistency and validity; its use should be considered in men who experience hot flashes. Additional reliable tools are needed to subjectively and objectively evaluate the impact of hot flashes in patients who receive androgen suppression therapy.