Objective: To investigate the timing of reaching maximum improvement of the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with maximal androgen blockade(MAB), and to provide guidelines for the treatment program.
Methods: We collected the data of 45 advanced prostate cancer patients complicated with lower urinary tract symptoms who were treated by MAB. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) were selected as indicators reflecting the degree of lower urinary tract symptoms and were observed before the MAB, 3, 6, and 9 months after the patients received MAB. We also observed the changes of prostate volume and analyzed the role of MAB in improving LUTS in patients with prostate cancer.
Results: The IPSS and Qmax had significant difference between the 3rd month after the patients received MAB and before the MAB (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the 3rd month and the 6th month after the patients received MAB (P>0.05). The prostate volume had significant difference in the 3rd month and the 6th month (P<0.05), but no significant difference in the 6th month and the 9th month (P>0.05).
Conclusion: MAB for patients with advanced prostate cancer can improve their lower urinary tract symptoms, whose main effect is presented in the 3rd months after the androgen deprivation therapy.