Radiation-associated hypertension in patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer

Abstract

AbstractObjective:Patients undergoing prostate radiation therapy were observed to have elevated blood pressures in clinic. Therefore, we sought to further characterise this phenomenon.Methods:The charts of 76 patients who received radiotherapy for prostate cancer between 2014 and 2017 were examined. Blood pressure (BP) readings were obtained at initial consultation, on treatment visits, and subsequent follow-up appointments. To describe this effect, we defined radiation-associated hypertension (RAH) as an increase ≥15 mmHg systolic BP, 10 mmHg diastolic BP, or 5 mmHg mean arterial pressure.Results:Within this cohort, 36 patients developed RAH, with 75% developing RAH while on treatment, and 25% developing RAH at post-treatment visits. Two-thirds of patients remained hypertensive during post-treatment visits, and 27% were prescribed additional anti-hypertensives. There was no association between neoadjuvant/concurrent androgen deprivation therapy and RAH.Conclusion:A significant number of patients undergoing prostate radiotherapy developed RAH, necessitating additional medication in some.