Symptom Burden and Survivorship Care for Patients With Prostate Cancer on Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Prostate cancer survivors represent a growing population of patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, whether they were cured using local therapies or continue to receive systemic treatment of advanced disease. Many patients receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) during treatment, which is associated with many long-lasting physical and psychological effects. Identifying and addressing the needs of survivors is imperative for improving their health and well-being. This narrative review highlights the most common issues associated with ADT affecting survivorship in prostate cancer, including cardiovascular and metabolic effects, musculoskeletal health, sexual morbidity, and local therapy effects, as well as the mental and psychological toll. A special emphasis is placed on the existing literature examining specific interventions to alleviate these symptoms, along with describing existing gaps in knowledge, with the goal of promoting dedicated studies aimed at enhancing the survivorship experience of patients with prostate cancer.