Stellate Ganglion Block for Hot Flushes in Men Treated With ADT

Short-term Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in Men to Reduce Hot Flushes Related to Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely used as standard therapy in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Hot flushes and night sweats are one of the main side-effects of ADT. There are no successful and well-tolerable treatment options available. A possible treatment for hot flushes is stellate-ganglion block (SGB), used as a means of interrupting parts of the sympathetic nervous system involved in temperature regulation.

Objective of this study:

To assess the short-term efficacy of stellate ganglion block on hot flush reduction versus sham procedure

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is widely used as standard therapy in the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Hot flushes and night sweats are one of the main side-effects of ADT. There are no successful and well-tolerable treatment options available. A possible treatment for hot flushes is stellate-ganglion block (SGB), used as a means of interrupting parts of the sympathetic nervous system involved in temperature regulation.

Objective of this study

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Age: >18 years
• Mean daily flush frequency of 10 or more and a hot flush score of 15 or more
• Treatment with ADT because of prostate cancer
• Absence of any other cause of flushing

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of medication that affects flushing: oestrogens, progestogens, clonidine, naloxone, paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, gabapentin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor antagonist
• Still receiving chemotherapy of radiotherapy
• Psychiatric disease
• Any unstable concurrent disease
• Allergic reactions against bupivacaine or contrast media.