Intermittent vs continuous androgen suppression after radical therapy: survival just as good, quality of life may be better

2011 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
Stephen Pinn
2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Galvão ◽  
Dennis R. Taaffe ◽  
Nigel Spry ◽  
David Joseph ◽  
Robert U. Newton

Purpose Androgen suppression therapy (AST) results in musculoskeletal toxicity that reduces physical function and quality of life. This study examined the impact of a combined resistance and aerobic exercise program as a countermeasure to these AST-related toxicities. Patients and Methods Between 2007 and 2008, 57 patients with prostate cancer undergoing AST (commenced > 2 months prior) were randomly assigned to a program of resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 29) or usual care (n = 28) for 12 weeks. Primary end points were whole body and regional lean mass. Secondary end points were muscle strength and function, cardiorespiratory capacity, blood biomarkers, and quality of life. Results Analysis of covariance was used to compare outcomes for groups at 12 weeks adjusted for baseline values and potential confounders. Patients undergoing exercise showed an increase in lean mass compared with usual care (total body, P = .047; upper limb, P < .001; lower limb, P = .019) and similarly better muscle strength (P < .01), 6-meter walk time (P = .024), and 6-meter backward walk time (P = .039). Exercise also improved several aspects of quality of life including general health (P = .022) and reduced fatigue (P = .021) and decreased levels of C-reactive protein (P = .008). There were no adverse events during the testing or exercise intervention program. Conclusion A relatively brief exposure to exercise significantly improved muscle mass, strength, physical function, and balance in hypogonadal men compared with normal care. The exercise regimen was well tolerated and could be recommended for patients undergoing AST as an effective countermeasure to these common treatment-related adverse effects.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2014-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiaki Omichi ◽  
Keiichiro Nakamura ◽  
Junko Haraga ◽  
Naoyuki Ida ◽  
Masayuki Saijo ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe objective of this observational study was to investigate correlations between adverse effects (lower-extremity lymphedema [LEL], dysuria, and severe gastrointestinal symptoms) and quality of life (QOL) (physical well-being [PWB], social well-being, emotional well-being [EWB], and functional well-being) before treatment, at least 6 weeks after treatment (posttreatment1), and 3 or 6 months after treatment (posttreatment2) of patients with gynecologic cancer (GC).MethodsFrom August 2012 to October 2016, questionnaire responses and clinical data of 75 patients with GC were collected and assessed by treatment received. The χ2 test was used to determine the significance of correlations.ResultsParticipants with LEL had significantly poorer QOL than did those without it in the domains of PWB at posttreatment1 (P = 0.026) and EWB at posttreatment2 (P = 0.020). Moreover, patients with 2 adverse effects (LEL plus dysuria or severe gastrointestinal symptoms) had significantly poorer QOL than did those with no or single adverse effect in the domains of PWB at posttreatment1 and posttreatment2 (posttreatment1: P = 0.049, P = 0.001; posttreatment2: P = 0.002, P = 0.028) and poorer QOL compared with those with no adverse effect in the domain of EWB at posttreatment1 (P = 0.017).ConclusionsPoorer QOL in emotional and physical domains is associated with adverse effects of treatment in patients with GC. It is important to consider the effects of radical therapy not only on survival but also on the QOL of survivors.


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