BERKELEY, CA (UroToday.com) - It has previously been shown that men with localized prostate cancer apparently cured by radical prostatectomy can safely be treated with testosterone replacement if they have hypogonadism. Testosterone can also be given to men who have received attempted curative radiotherapy and neoadjuvant LHRH-antagonist therapy, according to a study presented to a meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America.

"Since radiotherapy confers excellent results in early stage prostate cancer, it may be appropriate to consider treatment of hypogonadism in this setting, "author Dr. Joel Kaufman, Urology Research Options, Aurora, Colorado reported.

Further, since most men receiving radiotherapy now receive neoadjuvant and sometimes adjuvant LHRH-antagonists, profound hypogonadism can result and may be prolonged and sometimes irreversible.

Previous reports have shown that it may take 18 months for hypogonadism to resolve even after a short course of LHRH-antagonists.

"These men were severely symptomatic with hot flashes, poor libido and low energy levels, "Dr. Kaufman stated. "They were very grateful for the testosterone replacement."

In both cases, PSA levels remained stable and castrate testosterone levels normalized. On the basis of these cases, other severely hypogonadal men with prostate cancer carefully screened and followed, may be candidates for testosterone replacement.

Written by Gregory A. Broderick, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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