Base bibliographique

Managing an elderly subject with prostate cancer brings into play the notion of likelihood of survival before any diagnostic or therapeutic decision can be made. The diagnostic strategy must be specifi ed for each patient in accordance with the clinical presentation so as to determine whether prostate biopsies are indicated in this elderly population. To estimate the likelihood of survival, one must make use of geriatric assessment techniques comprising medical strategies ranging from screening for frailty to detailed geriatric evaluation for the most complex patients. The many tools available for estimating the likelihood of survival requires a critical review of their advantages and disadvantages in daily clinical practice.

Androgen suppression clearly increases the occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors : increased body fat, dyslipidemia and type II diabetes. Thus, several studies (but not all), showed an increase in coronary artery disease but also of sudden death and ventricular arrhythmias in relation to androgen deprivation, even for a short duration. This risk is particularly important in patients with existing cardiovascular risk factors or a history of heart disease. Cardiovascular risk should be balanced with the benefit of androgen deprivation on overall survival, especially when it is proposed in adjuvant setting, combined with radiotherapy in locally advanced prostate tumors.

In practice, it is recommended that patients be referred to their physician for an evaluation before starting treatment, then 3 to 6 months after starting treatment, then once a year. The initial assessment should include: a clinical examination (with measurement of blood pressure and body index) and laboratory test with full lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides) and glucose. It is also important that patients with heart disease, receive lifestyle advice and low- dose aspirin (80mg/day).

Because of the low mortality rates associated with prostate cancer, treatments long-term adverse effects constitute an important parameter in the management of patients. In particular, androgen deprivation has been shown to be linked to several metabolic disorders which are already frequent in men after age 60, such as weight and fat gain, insulin resistance likely to evolve into diabetes, and dyslipidemia. So far no consensus guidelines have been published regarding the screening and treatment of metabolic disorders in men with prostate cancer. It is essential to detect and manage these metabolic disorders, all the more so as they seem to be associated with an increased aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Here we report the development of a new questionnaire, which might contribute to the systematic management, and potentially the screening and treatment or the prevention of these metabolic disorders in patients with prostate cancer. In accordance with recent reviews and on the basis of experience, our French board of experts also recommends systematic screening and selective treatment for diabetes, regular follow-up of fasting glucose rates, lipid profile and blood pressure in all patients under long-term androgen deprivation treatment, as well as lifestyle changes (practice of exercise, nutritional habits).

All treatments of prostate cancer have a negative effect on both sexuality and male fertility. There is a specific profile of changes in the fields of quality of life, sexual, urinary, bowel and vitality according to the treatment modalities chosen.

Maintain a satisfying sex is the main concern of a majority of men facing prostate cancer and its treatment. It is essential to assess the couple’s sexuality before diagnosis of prostate cancer in order to deliver complete information and to consider early and appropriate treatment options at the request of the couple.

Forms of sexuality sexual preference settings stored (orgasm) may, when the erection is not yet recovered, be an alternative to the couple to maintain intimacy and complicity.

In all cases, a specific management and networking will in many cases to find a satisfactory sexuality.

Consequences of the treatment on male fertility should be part of the information of patients with prostate cancer and their partners. The choice of treatment must take into account the desire of paternity of the couple. A semen analysis with sperm cryopreservation before any therapy should be routinely offered in men with prostate cancer, particularly among men under 55, with a partner under 43 years old or without children. If the desire for parenthood among couples, sperm cryopreservation before treatment and medical assisted reproduction are recommended.

Androgen deprivation therapy represents an important part of the management of prostate cancer. However, epidemiological data have shown that it is a well-established cause of osteoporosis and increased risk of fracture. So far no consensus guidelines have been published regarding the screening and treatment of osteoporosis in men with prostate cancer. Here we report the design of a new questionnaire, derived from the FRAX^® (“Fracture Risk Assessment Tool”) algorithm, to evaluate the risk of fracture in those patients. In accordance with recent reviews and on the basis of their experience, our French board of experts recommends systematic screening for osteoporosis with dual energy x- ray absorptiometry scans, practice of exercise and calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and selective treatment with bisphosphonates in men at greatest osteoporotic risk.

Prostate cancer has become a chronic disease. In this context, it is important to take into account the quality of life of patients and their family in the therapeutic approach. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of depression and the risk of suicide in patients with prostate cancer as well as the repercussions of the disease on the spouse and their relationship. The implication of hormonal treatment in the increase in risk of depression is difficult to affirm. Few studies have investigated this subject and they present methodological biases. Some authors report an increased risk of cognitive decline in patients on androgen deprivation. However, even if certain physiopathological hypotheses have been put forward, the imputability of the treatment on the alteration of cognitive functions has not been clearly established.

Urologists are at the forefront of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer occurring most often in elderly subjects. Therefore, given the prevalence of depression syndromes and/or the alteration of cognitive functions in this population, the urologist must be aware of these different factors, which are potentially aggravated by the introduction of androgen deprivation.

Based on a review of the recent literature, the authors suggest using a simple depression screening tool: confirmation of the diagnosis and management is within the competence of the general practitioner. As for the risk of cognitive decline, it seems difficult to imagine, and not necessarily relevant, to systematically propose a battery of neuropsychometric screening tests. On the other hand, giving the patient the G8 screening test can allow the urologist to assess whether the patient needs a geriatric consultation or not.

Introduction

The androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM) affects 30 % of men after 70. It’s responsible for many minor symptoms but also major complications. The objective of this study was to establish the clinical and biological criteria for the diagnosis of ADAM.

Material and method

Data on clinical and biological criteria for the diagnosis of ADAM have been explored in Medline and Embase using the MeSH keywords : androgen deficiency ; testosterone deficiency ; late-onset hypogonadism ; aging. The articles were selected based on their methodology, relevance, date and language of publication.

Relevant clinical criteria for the diagnosis of ADAM

The prevalence of symptomatic ADAM in the old male ranges from 6 % to 12 %. The main clinical manifestations of ADAM include various sexual disorders associated with many nonspecific symptoms which can even be present without androgen deficiency. ADAM may induce type 2 diabetes or some cardiovascular complications which increase the risk of death. Because of low specificity, the use of diagnostic tools is not recommended to screen ADAM.

Variation in the androgen secretion during aging

The annual decrease rate of testosterone is 1.6 % after 30 leading to androgen deficiency in 50 % of patients after 80. ADAM is due to a concomitant reduction of testosterone and gonadotropin secretion.

Relevant biological criteria for the diagnosis of ADAM

The biological diagnosis of androgen deficit is based on two determinations of total testosterone obtained between 7AM and 11AM. Levels below 8nmol/L are an indication to hormonal substitution while patients with levels above 12nmol/L don’t seem to benefit from this type of treatment. Between 8 and 12nmol/L, it is recommended to assess free testosterone levels. Because of a decrease in gonadotrophin secretion during aging, the LH levels are abnormally normal in ADAM.

Conclusion

ADAM is a biological and clinical syndrome characterized by the association of nonspecific symptoms and decrease testosterone levels. Hormone replacement therapy appears to benefit patients at risk of metabolic, cardiovascular or bone complications.

Introduction

With the increase in life expectancy, men’s sexual health has become a major concern for elderly couples. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is responsible for a 50 % decrease of sexually active men between 60 and 85. The aim of this study was to identify objective elements to evaluate the influence of age on male sexual health.

Materials and method

Data on the effects of aging on men’s sexual health have been explored in Medline and Embase using the MeSH keywords : prostate ; sexuality and erectile dysfunction ; aging. The articles were selected based on their methodology, relevance, date and language of publication.

Results

ED concerns 64 % of 70 years old patients and up to 77.5 % after 75 years. The screening of this pathology is based on standardized diagnostic tools. The most used of them remains the “International Index of Erectile function” which, in its simplified version with 5 items (IIEF-5 or SHIM), presents at the cutoff score of 21, a sensitivity of 98 %, a specificity of 88 % and a kappa index of 0.82. The ED is often responsible for a decrease in the quality of life for 60 % of elderly couples wishing to pursue sexual activity. Some diagnostic tools, such as the «Self-Esteem And Relationship» (SEAR) questionnaire or the «Sexual Experience Questionnaire» (SEX-Q) assess individual and couple satisfaction. Physiological aging seems to favor erection disorders by the development of an Androgen Deficiency of the Aging Male (ADAM) but pathological aging appears to be primarily responsible. Cardiovascular or neurological diseases and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are, with the polymedication, modifiable risk factors of ED to systematically screen in elderly subjects.

Conclusion

Many diagnostic tools allow to detect ED and assess the impact on the quality of life of elderly men. The fundamental element of the management of ED is the research of modifiable risk factors including cardiovascular.

The prostate’s location at the crossroad between the urethra and ejaculatory ducts could explain her urinary and génital function. The currently anatomical model has been proposed by McNeal et al. in 1968. The prostate gland is divided in 4 zones surrounding the urethra in its vertical path from the bladder to the striated sphincter. Transition, Central and peripheral zones consist of tubulo-alveolar glandular tissue secreting the spermatic fluid while the anterior fibro-muscular zone consists of smooth muscle which may start voiding. The confluence between the urinary and genital tract in the prostate explains the anatomic proximity and the intimate relationship between male genital and urinary organs. Elderly anatomical changes of the prostate may therefore be involved in sexual and urinary symptoms. The development of prostate medications may be effective both on voiding and erectile dysfunction.

Introduction

The lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa) are linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of prostatic diseases on ED.

Materials and method

Data on the influence of BPH and PCa on ED have been explored in Medline and Embase using the MeSH keywords : benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy ; androgen deprivation therapy ; erectile dysfunction. The articles were selected based on their methodology, relevance, date and language of publication.

Results

The rate of ED in patients with BPH ranged from 30 to 70 %. The LUTS were an independent risk factor of ED. The pathophysiology linking BPH to ED has not been elucidated but seems to involve the path of Nitric Oxide - cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP-No.), the RhoA - Rho - Kinase (ROCK) signal, the sympathetic autonomic nervous system and pelvic atherosclerosis. The rate of ED after radical prostatectomy (RP) ranged from 60 to 89 %. The bilateral preservation of neurovascular bundels improved these results. Risk factors of ED after RP were age, PSA levels, pretreatment erectile function and surgical technique. The rate of ED after prostate external beam radiotherapy ranged from 6 to 84 %. Risk factors of ED after external beam radiotherapy were age, pretreatment erectile function and association of androgen deprivation therapy. The rate of ED with androgen deprivation therapy was 85 %. Risk factors of ED with androgen deprivation therapy were age > 70 years, diabetes and pretreatment erectile function. Intermittent androgen deprivation therapy was associated with better results on erectile function than continue androgen deprivation therapy.

Conclusion

ED is responsible for a decrease of elderly patients life quality already affected by urinary symptoms and prostate disease progression. The development of drugs effective on both ED and BPH or PCa symptoms is then full of meaning.