Cancer Treatment-Related Hot Flashes in Women with Breast Cancer and Men with Prostate Cancer

Patient Guideline Summary

Publication Date: July 1, 2020

Last Updated: March 2, 2023

Objective

This patient summary means to discuss key recommendations from the Oncology Nursing Forum for cancer treatment-related hot flashes in women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer. It is limited to adults 18 years of age and older and should not be used as a reference for children.

Overview

Women with breast cancer and men with prostate cancer are usually treated with hormone suppression, known as “endocrine therapy.” This treatment causes hot flashes more intense and frequent than during menopause.
Endocrine therapy can be surgical (removal of hormone-producing organs) or medical.
Symptoms include flushing and feeling hot.
This patient summary focuses on the management of hot flashes during endocrine therapy for breast and prostate cancer.

Treatment

Men and women:

Physical activity (exercise, yoga)
Not to be used: gabapentin, pregabalin (gabapentinoids), and herbal or dietary supplements (soy, black cohosh, St. John’s wort, melatonin, vitamin E)
Only in a clinical trial: hypnosis or relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, and electroacupuncture

Antidepressants:

Women:
- First choice: venlafaxine, paroxetine
- Second choice: clonidine
- Third choice: sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, duloxetine
Men:
- First choice: paroxetine, clonidine
- Second choice: sertraline, fluoxetine, escitalopram, duloxetine
- Only in a clinical trial: venlafaxine

Source Citation

Kaplan, M., Ginex, P., Michaud, L., Fernández-Ortega, P., Grimmer, D., Leibelt, J., Mahon, S., Rapoport, B., Robinson, V., Maloney, C., Moriarty, K., Vrabel, M., & Morgan, R. (2020). ONS GuidelinesTM for Cancer Treatment–Related Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer and Men With Prostate Cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 47(4), 374–399. https://doi.org/10.1188/20.onf.374-399

Disclaimer

The information in this patient summary should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.