What is hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy is a type of pharmacological treatment indicated for different diseases.
Hormonal treatments act by trying to slow down the action of female hormones (estrogens) or male hormones (androgens), in order to prevent any tumor dependent on them from progressing.
Why is it performed?
Hormone therapy is a treatment applied in cancer patients, especially in breast and prostate cancer, and during menopause. Both breast and prostate grow and develop due to the influence of sex hormones on them. Some breast and prostate tumors are produced and progress stimulated by the action of these hormones. These types of cancers are called hormone-dependent tumors.
This medical treatment uses drugs that act by modifying hormones, i.e. preventing their synthesis or altering their effects on certain cells with the aim of slowing the growth of certain tumors.
Hormone therapy can be used:
- If the cancer has spread too far to be cured with surgery or radiation, or if the patient cannot undergo those treatments for some other reason.
- If the cancer continues or comes back after treatment with surgery or radiation therapy.
- Along with radiation therapy as the initial treatment if the patient is at a higher risk of the cancer coming back after treatment.
- Before radiation to try to shrink the cancer and make treatment more effective.
What does it consist of?
The aim of this method is to prevent the stimulus that the hormone generates on the growth of the tumor cell, either by blocking the receptors or by reducing the production of the hormone.
Hormonal treatments can be applied at different stages of the development of the disease:
- Especially before or after possible surgery.
- As an adjunct to other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
There are different specific drugs to control or inhibit hormone production and action. Most are administered orally, although some require subcutaneous or intramuscular injections.
Alternatives to this treatment
Hormone therapy is really a hopeful new treatment in the fight against breast or prostate cancer. Previously the only option was to undergo chemotherapy treatment.