RESUMO
Hot flushes and perspiration are common problems during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate carcinoma, and largely contribute to worsen patient quality of life. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain the underlying physiopathological mechanisms, though all are very complex, basically because of the multiple causal factors involved. The present review offers a pondered and updated perspective of the origin of hot flushes-perspiration in such patients. Negative feedback of the plasma sexual hormones upon the hypothalamic secretion of noradrenalin and serotonin appears to be the main cause. Likewise, the direct action of such mechanisms upon the LH-RH producing hypothalamic center located close to the thermoregulatory center, together with shortening of the thermoneutral interval, would also play a role. Improved understanding of the causal mechanism may help improve the treatment of such symptoms.
