Hormone-targeted therapy for prostate cancer may raise the risk of potentially dangerous blood clots, a large U.S. study suggests.
Analyzing data on more than 154,000 older men with prostate cancer, researchers found that those who received hormonal therapy had double the rate of blood clots in the veins, arteries or lungs compared to men not on the treatment.
Of the 58,000-plus men taking hormonal therapy, 15 percent developed a blood clot over roughly four years, versus seven percent of men who did not receive get the therapy.
A clot in the blood vessels can prove fatal if it breaks loose and travels to the lungs, heart or brain.
For men weighing their options for prostate cancer treatment, Ehdaie said the risk of blood clots -- and other side effects -- needs to be balanced against the benefits.
Other potential side effects of hormonal therapy include weight gain, bone thinning, hot flashes and erectile dysfunction.
And for many prostate cancer patients, experts say, the benefits of hormonal therapy are not clear.
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Hormonal prostate cancer therapy tied to blood clots
