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. Series: "Prostate Cancer Patient Conference" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40799]