Hormonal therapy is a treatment method used to control the growth and spread of cancer cells. Because hormones play a role in stimulating the growth and spread of some cancers, hormonal therapy is particularly used in hormone receptor-positive types of cancer. Such cancers include breast cancer, prostate cancer, and uterine cancer.
Hormonal therapy works by reducing or blocking levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. For example, the hormone estrogen promotes growth in breast cancer, so for women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, drugs that inhibit or block estrogen production are used. For prostate cancer, drugs that block the production of the hormone testosterone are used.
Hormonal therapy is often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Side effects of hormonal therapy may include hot flashes, sweating, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The duration of treatment and its side effects may vary depending on the general health of the patient, the type and stage of the cancer. The success of hormonal therapy depends on the type of cancer being treated, the age and general health of patients who respond to treatment.
