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The use of estrogen
as prostate cancer hormone therapy carries the increased
risk of problems with blood
clotting. Those opting to undergo estrogen must
weigh these risks. Estrogen may cause clots in the
legs, heart attacks, strokes and other vascular accidents.
Those with blood vessel diseases, blood clotting disorders,
diabetes, high blood pressure, high levels of calcium
in the blood, and liver disease and want to consider
estrogen to treat prostate cancer, must speak with their
doctors about the possible risks.
Patients must also be sure to alert
their doctors about other drugs they may be taking.
Conversely, once men begin hormone therapy, they must
alert their other doctors and specialists to avoid possible
drug interactions.
There may be side effects associated
with the use of hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer
that are not listed here. Patients should speak with
their doctors about possible side effects. If patients
choose estrogen as their prostate cancer hormone therapy,
they should be aware of any changes in their body that
may be caused by hormone therapy. Possible side effects
of estrogen therapy in men include:
- Breast enlargement and tenderness
as well as nipple tenderness (gynecomastia)
- Sudden chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sudden pain in the arms, legs,
or groin
- Severe headaches
- Severe stomach pain
- Edema (swelling due to water
retention in the hands, feet, and ankles)
- Sudden vision or speech problems
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
(jaundice)
If a patient experiences any of
these side effects, he should notify his doctor as soon
as possible. Patients who experience sudden vision changes,
such as a new sensitivity to light and darkness, trouble
adjusting to changing light, or sudden discomfort with
contact lenses, should speak with the either their doctor
or their eye care specialist.
Other side effects may accompany
the use of estrogen as a prostate cancer treatment.
These side effects may be unpleasant or inconvenient
or both, however, they do not require medical attention
unless they become so bothersome that they interfere
with daily life. These hormone therapy side effects
include:
- Changes in sexual desire, including
loss of libido
- Changes in facial or body hair
growth
- Mild upset stomach
- Mood changes, including anxiety,
frustration, anger, and depression
- Emotional outbursts
- Unexplained changes in appetite
- Skin rash and acne
- Sudden brown spots on the face
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Sudden weight gain
Smoking tobacco can greatly increase
the risk of experiencing complications or side effects.
Doctors usually encourage their patients to quit smoking
when beginning prostate cancer hormone therapy with
estrogen. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular
diseases in those who are taking estrogen for prostate
cancer hormone therapy. Patients who feel that they
will not stop smoking may want to consider other options
for their prostate cancer treatments.
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