Androgen deprivation therapy is the treatment of prostate cancer by removing the androgensnamely testosteronewhich can cause prostate cancer cells to grow. Removing testosterone can cause men to go into a male menopause of sorts, with similar side effects like hot flashes, osteoporosis and weight gain. It can also lead to high cholesterol and a risk of diabetes, according to Dr. Stephen Freedland, Director of the Center for Integrated Research and Lifestyle in Cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In certain cases, androgen deprivation therapy works extremely well, But in other cases, Dr. Freedland says the risks might not justify the benefits.
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