Figure 7.

Treatment for anemia caused by ADT. For prostate cancer patients with symptoms of severe anemia, corrections of vitamin B12, folic acid or iron deficiency is needed. Erythropoiesis stimulants agents are also effective in controlling anemia. However, it could promote angiogenesis that might stimulate cancer growth and it might also cause thrombotic events. For anemia in hormone-refractory prostate cancer, low dose oral dexamethasone is found to be effective. For patients with more severe conditions, blood transfusion may be the only effective treatment.