Body composition changes during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a 2-year prospective study

Little is known about the long-term impact of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on body composition in men with prostate cancer. We compared body composition parameters in men with non-metastatic prostate cancer on or not on therapy with healthy, age-matched controls at baseline and monitored changes over a 2-year period.

We measured body fat mass and lean body mass in 81 men with prostate cancer on no ADT, 43 men on acute ADT (less than 6 months), 67 men on chronic ADT (more than 6 months) and 53 age-matched healthy controls. Measurements were performed every 6 months for 2 years.

Men with prostate cancer on acute ADT (mean 3 months) had significant gains in body fat mass [1499.56+/-322.28g (mean+/-S.E.) after 12 months, 2167.15+/-676.45g after 24 months, p<0.01 for both] and losses in lean body mass (929.74+/-296.36g after 12 months, 1785.81+/-501.31g after 24 months, p<0.01 for both) over 2 years. Men on chronic ADT (mean 31 months) had smaller but still significant body composition changes over 24 months. Changes in body composition in men on no ADT were small and healthy controls had no significant changes.

Men with prostate cancer on ADT have significant gains in body fat mass and losses lean body mass over 2 years. These changes are most pronounced with initiation of ADT.