Problem identification: Hot flashes are common and bothersome in patients with breast and prostate cancer and can adversely affect patients' quality of life.
Literature search: Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of one or more interventions for hot flashes in patients with a history of breast or prostate cancer.
Data evaluation: Outcomes of interest included changes in hot flash severity, hot flash frequency, quality of life, and harms. Pairwise meta-analyses and network meta-analyses were performed where feasible, with narrative synthesis used where required.
Synthesis: 40 RCTs were included. Findings from network meta-analysis for hot flash frequency suggested that several therapies may offer benefits compared to no treatment, but little data suggested differences between active therapies. Findings from network meta-analysis for hot flash score were similar.
Implications for research: Although many interventions may offer improvements for hot flashes versus no treatment, minimal data suggest important differences between therapies.
Supplementary materials can be found by visiting https: //bit.ly/2WGzi30.
Keywords: breast cancer; hot flashes; meta-analysis; prostate cancer; systematic review.