Association between megestrol acetate treatment and symptomatic adrenal insufficiency with hypogonadism in male patients with cancer

Rony Dev, Egidio Del Fabbro, Eduardo Bruera

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients with advanced cancer may develop cachexia, which is often treated with megestrol acetate (MA). In addition to thromboembolic disease, MA may cause symptomatic suppression of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. In male patients with cancer, treatment with MA may also suppress the gonadal axis, resulting in symptomatic androgen deficiency. Three cases are presented to high-light the symptomatic burden of adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism. Clinicians need an increased awareness of the complication of adrenal insufficiency secondary to MA treatment and a low threshold to test for adrenal and gonadal dysfunction in symptomatic male patients with advanced cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1173-1177
Number of pages5
JournalCancer
Volume110
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adrenal insufficiency
  • Cancer cachexia
  • Hypogonadism
  • Megestrol acetate

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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