This is not a research study, but a review of the issues that link prostate cancer treatments with cardiovascular disease. This paper reveals why cardio-oncology is emerging as a clinical field of its own and why—given their general health and lifestyle—many prostate cancer patients are appropriate patients for physicians, who specialize in this field.
The article uses a case study approach with a representative prostate cancer patient on ADT, who happens to smoke, be overweight and diabetic. The authors promote their “ABCDE algorithm” as guide to physicians treating such patients. “A” stands for increasing patient Awareness of the risks. It also stands for Aspirin as agent to prevent cardiovascular events. “B” stands for getting good Blood pressure control. “C” stands for both using statin drugs to treat pre-existing Cardiovascular disease and an unhealthy lipid profile. It also stands for getting off Cigarettes, if the patient is an active smoker. “D” stands for both controlling Diabetes with appropriate drugs, and for Diet. E stands for the obvious; i.e., promoting a heart-healthy Exercise regime.
Bhatia N, Santos M, Jones LW, Beckman JA, Penson DF, Morgans AK, Moslehi J. 2016. Cardiovascular Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: ABCDE Steps to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Prostate Cancer. Circulation 133(5):537-541. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26831435