Pharmacological treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer
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Pharmacological treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer

Bruce Turner Uro-oncology nurse practitioner, Homerton University Hospital, London and Barts Health Hospitals, London
Lawrence Drudge-Coates Urology oncology clinical nurse specialist and honorary lecturer, King’s College Hospital, London

Prostate cancer is linked to the male sex hormone testosterone. In advanced disease, blocking the production of testosterone using androgen deprivation therapy causes regression of prostate cancer and minimises or prevents symptoms associated with the disease. Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists are commonly used in the management of prostate cancer, however less is known about the role of the newer gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists. This article focuses on the differences between the two treatments and provides nurses with the knowledge to explain the use of GnRH antagonists to patients and administer this therapy effectively.

Nursing Standard. 28, 23, 44-48. doi: 10.7748/ns2014.02.28.23.44.e7823

Correspondence

bruce.turner@homerton.nhs.uk

Peer review

This article has been subject to double blind peer review

Received: 29 April 2013

Accepted: 15 August 2013

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