Cognitive decline linked to prostate treatment
15 years, 9 months ago
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Posted on Jul 27, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
A commonly used prostate cancer treatment has been associated with a decline in cognitive function, a study suggests.
A commonly used prostate cancer treatment has been associated with a decline in cognitive function, a study suggests.
The American Cancer Society published a review indicating that hormone deprivation therapy, also known as androgen depletion therapy, may cause adverse a[e]ffects to cancer patients' concentration levels and memory.
According to the report, testosterone levels may impact cognition. Studies examining the effects of androgen depletion therapy in prostate cancer patients found that between 47 per cent and 69 per cent of men being treated decline in at least one cognitive area.
Researcher Dr Christian Nelson, a psychologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, commented: "As the use of androgen depletion therapy increases, clinicians should become aware of this relationship [with cognitive decline], and inform and monitor patients for this possible side effect of treatment."
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year.
