Cardiovascular and Bone Health Risks Associated with Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Fort Myers, Fla., Jan. 11, 2021 — Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) Director of Nursing Diane G. Cope, PhD, APRN, BC, AOCNP is co-author of two review articles regarding the treatment of prostate cancer and its associated risks. The most recent article, published in the January 2021 issue of Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations, examined cardiovascular adverse events and comorbidity considerations in patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer. The second article, published in the October 2020 edition of Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, focused on bone health effects of androgen-deprivation therapy and androgen receptor inhibitors in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

In the review on adverse cardiovascular events, Cope and her co-authors indicated that a number of studies strongly suggest that men with prostate cancer and a history of cardiovascular disease may have “an increased risk of future CV (cardiovascular) events and mortality when treated with any hormonal therapy.” The article further stated, “Prostate cancer and cardiovascular (CV) disease share several risk factors, with the incidence of both rising with increasing age. Systemic prostate cancer therapies may increase CV risk. For example, gonadotropic releasing hormone agonists have been associated with increased development of CV risk factors, and potentially with CV disease. For men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC), the opportunity to mitigate CV risk by appropriate selection of therapy (i.e., use of newer agents such as androgen receptor inhibitors) may be possible.”

The review concerning bone health “… aims to raise awareness in oncology and urology communities regarding the complexity of bone health, and to provide a framework for management strategies for patients with non-metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer receiving androgen receptor inhibitor treatment.” According to Cope and her co-authors, patients with prostate cancer may have multiple risk factors that contribute to bone fragility or osteoporosis, such as advanced age and long-term usage of androgen-deprivation therapy, which is often used in treating prostate cancer.

Because the use of androgen deprivation therapies in the treatment of prostate cancer has the potential for cardiovascular, as well as osteoporotic, comorbidities, both of the review articles by Cope and her co-authors stress the importance of a careful evaluation of patients, including consideration of a multi-disciplinary approach and development of management strategies and tools adapted to treat the individual patient and reduce incidence of comorbidities.

For access to the review article on prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease visit here.

For access to the review article on prostate cancer and bone health visit here.

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