Prostate Cancer: The ABCs of Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Dr. Eric Small explains how androgen deprivation therapy works to treat prostate cancer, its side effects, and combination treatment options.

In this presentation, UCSF’s Dr. Eric Small explains the role of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer treatment across various stages of the disease. He discusses how prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to grow and how medications can effectively reduce testosterone levels by targeting hormone signals or blocking production. Dr. Small outlines the different forms of ADT—injectables, implants, and pills—and reviews their pros, cons, and side effect profiles, including cardiovascular considerations. He also describes how combining ADT with newer androgen signaling inhibitors has improved survival outcomes in patients with metastatic or recurrent disease. The talk emphasizes the importance of balancing treatment benefits with side effects and highlights the role of shared decision-making in choosing the right approach. Recorded on 05/02/2025. [7/2025] [Show ID: 40799] Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming: uctv.tv/donate Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date. More videos from: Prostate Cancer Patient Conference (uctv.tv/prostate-cancer-conference) Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV (uctv.tv/health) UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more. UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world. (uctv.tv)