[Intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) for advanced prostate cancer. Why not the standard of therapy?].

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES

To review the literature and present a contemporary image of androgen deprivation for prostate cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a PubMed search on intermittent androgen deprivation. Articles obtained on intermittent androgen deprivation (IAD) and the experiences at Institut Montsouris were used for the review.

RESULTS

IAD is an approach to hormonal deprivation that holds effective cancer control while preventing the morbidity associated with continuous androgen blockade. IAD nuances have been assessed by urological community teams in order to verify its possible potential benefits. Evidence based approach supports the idea of IAD as a standard of therapy for advanced prostate cancer requiring hormone deprivation. Variation among medical teams' criteria for the treatment and surveillance await standardization.

CONCLUSIONS

Reassessing the gold standard of hormonal blockade in advanced prostate cancer is mandatory.The undeniable evolution of IAD needs to be embraced by the urological community.