Hot Flashes
Understanding and Managing Hot Flashes Related to Cancer and Chemotherapy: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Strategies
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What Are Hot Flashes During Cancer Treatment?
Sweating is our body's natural way to cool down by releasing heat through the skin. However, hot flashes are different from regular sweating. Hot flashes are a common and often disruptive symptom for many people undergoing cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy. They involve a sudden sensation of warmth, often over the face, neck, and upper chest, and can make you feel flushed, turn red, and start sweating. The intensity of hot flashes can vary, lasting a few minutes and occurring from a few times a week to several times a day. They can happen anytime, even during sleep, when they are called night sweats. Severe hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep. While most people experience warmth and sweating, some may feel chills.
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Symptoms of Hot Flashes
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Sudden warmth in the chest, neck, and face;
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Chills as the hot flash subsides;
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Anxiety;
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Sweating, mainly on the upper body;
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Flushed skin with red, blotchy areas;
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Rapid heartbeat.
Cancer-Related Hot Flashes
Hot flashes as a symptom of various cancers are often linked to hormonal changes caused by the cancer itself or as a result of treatments that alter hormone levels. These flashes can occur spontaneously and may be accompanied by sweating, chills, and heart palpitations.
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Colon cancer and hot flashes: Although less common, hot flashes can occur in some colon cancer patients, especially if the cancer affects hormonal balance or if treatments such as chemotherapy induce early menopause in women.
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Ovarian cancer and hot flashes: Hot flashes are particularly common in ovarian cancer due to the disease's direct impact on the ovaries, which produce hormones that regulate body temperature. Treatment-induced menopause can also trigger hot flashes.
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Breast cancer and hot flashes: Many breast cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy, can induce menopause or significantly lower estrogen levels, leading to hot flashes. This symptom is a frequent side effect of drugs like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.
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Thyroid cancer and hot flashes: Since the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and body temperature, thyroid cancer and its treatment can lead to hot flashes, especially if there is an imbalance in thyroid hormone levels post-treatment.
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Liver cancer and hot flashes: Liver cancer can disrupt the body's metabolism and hormonal balance, leading to hot flashes, particularly if the liver's ability to process and regulate hormones is impaired.
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Prostate cancer and hot flashes: Hot flashes are a common side effect of hormone therapy for prostate cancer, which lowers testosterone levels to slow cancer growth. This reduction in male hormones can lead to symptoms similar to those experienced during female menopause.
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Lung cancer and hot flashes: While less directly associated with hot flashes, lung cancer patients may experience them due to the stress of the disease or as a side effect of certain treatments that impact hormonal balance.
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Pancreatic cancer and hot flashes: Pancreatic cancer can cause hormonal imbalances that may trigger hot flashes, particularly if the cancer affects the pancreas's endocrine function.
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Lymphoma and hot flashes: Lymphoma can cause systemic symptoms, including hot flashes, due to the body's response to the cancer or as a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy.
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Leukemia and hot flashes: Hot flashes in leukemia patients may be related to the body's response to the disease or treatment, which can affect the autonomic nervous system and hormonal regulation.
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Brain tumor and hot flashes: Certain brain tumors can disrupt the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates body temperature, potentially leading to hot flashes.
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Cervical cancer and hot flashes: Cervical cancer, particularly when treated with surgery or radiation that affects the ovaries, can cause hot flashes due to induced menopause or hormonal changes.
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Find personalized solutions by consulting our cancer care experts.
“The changes associated with menopause are mostly due to decreasing levels of female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and male hormones to a lesser degree. These changes can affect how we feel almost immediately with common symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats”.
Dr. Lisa Jervis, MD
How Cancer and Chemotherapy Cause Hot Flashes
Cancer treatments like hormone therapy and chemotherapy can temporarily disrupt estrogen production. This drop in estrogen affects the brain's temperature control center. Even a slight increase in body temperature, such as from stress or a hot drink, can trigger a hot flash. The body's heat control system responds as if the temperature were too high: blood vessels dilate to bring more blood to the skin, and sweating increases to release heat. This results in a hot flash
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Tamoxifen (Taxol) and Hot Flashes: Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer. It works by blocking estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells, reducing the growth of estrogen-driven tumors. However, because tamoxifen also lowers estrogen levels in the body, it can lead to hot flashes as a side effect.
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Anastrozole and Hot Flashes: Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor used in postmenopausal women to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. It works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen, thereby lowering estrogen levels in the body. This reduction in estrogen can lead to hot flashes, which are a common side effect of anastrozole. These hot flashes can be particularly bothersome, sometimes occurring multiple times a day and disrupting daily activities.
Hot Flashes and Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, such as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), significantly lowers testosterone levels, often leading to hot flashes:
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Pharmacological Management: Medications like cyproterone acetate, megestrol acetate, or low-dose estrogen may be prescribed to manage hot flashes in men undergoing hormone therapy. However, these options must be carefully considered due to potential side effects.
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Alternative Therapies: Non-hormonal treatments, such as gabapentin or antidepressants, can be effective in reducing hot flashes without affecting cancer treatment. You should talk to your medical tema in order to understand if they can benefit you.
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Lifestyle and Behavioral Approaches: Similar to other cancer treatments, keeping cool, using fans, wearing breathable clothing, and practicing relaxation techniques can help manage hot flashes during hormone therapy. Additionally, regular exercise may help reduce the severity of symptoms by promoting overall well-being and hormonal balance.
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Managing hot flashes during and after cancer treatment requires a comprehensive approach that combines lifestyle adjustments, medical interventions, and alternative therapies. By working closely with your healthcare team, patients can find the most effective strategies to reduce the discomfort associated with hot flashes and improve their quality of life during and after treatment.​
Managing Hot Flashes During Cancer Treatment
Hot Flashes Medicines
Sometimes medicines can be used to help with hot flashes. These can be classified as either non-hormone therapy or hormone therapy. Because every person's situation is different, it's important to talk to your cancer care team about what might be best for you.
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Incorporating stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness, counseling, physical activity, and relaxation exercises into a cancer patient’s care plan can empower them to manage both the emotional and physical tolls of the disease. For healthcare providers, recognizing the importance of stress management means offering comprehensive support that addresses not just the physical symptoms of cancer but the mental and emotional health of patients as well.
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Non-hormone therapy
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Prescription medications, such as low doses of certain antidepressant and high blood pressure medicines, as well as some other medicines, have been shown to help with hot flashes in some people.
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Over-the-counter medications, such as fever reducers or mild pain relievers, might be recommended by your cancer care team.
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Certain vitamins, minerals, and other supplements have been suggested as being helpful for sweating and hot flashes. Some might help, but it's important to talk with your doctor about whether they are safe for you to take.
Hormone therapy
Medicines containing hormones might be prescribed to replace the hormones that have been lost because of surgery or other treatments. Whether this might be an option for you depends on the type and stage of your cancer, as well as other factors. It's important to talk with your doctor about your situation, about the pros and cons of taking these drugs, and the side effects they might cause if your treatment plan includes them.
Lifestyle changes to manage Hot Flashes
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Lifestyle changes that might be helpful in reducing hot flashes or sweating for some people include:
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Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a healthy weight, as excess weight can lead to more frequent and intense hot flashes.
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Being physically active;
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Therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and cognitive behavioral interventions;
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Limit Triggers: Cut back on alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine, as these can intensify menopausal symptoms.
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Avoiding alcohol and tobacco.
Manging Hot Flashes After Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy, particularly when targeting areas near hormone-producing glands (like the ovaries or prostate), can also cause hot flashes. Localized Cooling, applying cool compresses to the affected area or using cooling devices during treatment sessions can provide immediate relief from hot flashes.
Lifestyle changes to manage Hot Flashes
Lifestyle changes that might be helpful in reducing hot flashes or sweating for some people include:
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Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a healthy weight, as excess weight can lead to more frequent and intense hot flashes.
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Being physically active;
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Therapies such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and cognitive behavioral interventions;
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Limit Triggers: Cut back on alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine, as these can intensify menopausal symptoms.
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Avoiding alcohol and tobacco.
Manging Hot Flashes After Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy, particularly when targeting areas near hormone-producing glands (like the ovaries or prostate), can also cause hot flashes. Localized Cooling, applying cool compresses to the affected area or using cooling devices during treatment sessions can provide immediate relief from hot flashes.
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​Acupuncture and Hot Flashes.
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​Acupuncture has gained attention as a potential alternative for managing menopausal hot flashes. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) remains a standard treatment, it's not suitable for all women, leading many to explore alternative options like acupuncture. Research into the effectiveness of acupuncture for hot flashes has yielded mixed results. A synthesis of the best available evidence suggests that acupuncture does offer benefits when compared to no treatment. Women receiving acupuncture reported a reduction in the frequency and severity of hot flashes, highlighting its potential as a supportive therapy for those seeking non-hormonal interventions.
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Top 3 tips for reducing Hot Flashes:
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Wear Removable Layers: Dress in layers that you can easily take off when you feel a hot flash coming on.
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Carry a Portable Fan: Keep a small fan with you to cool down quickly when a hot flash occurs.
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Change your nightwear and bed linen: try switching to cotton or even silk.