Hormone therapy slows the growth of cancer in the breast and prostate area.
But what is hormone therapy for cancer?
Simply put, hormone therapy is used in cancer treatment when certain types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and ovarian cancer, rely on hormones to grow and spread.
By blocking the body’s ability to produce or receive hormones, hormone therapy can slow or stop the growth of tumors, prevent cancer from returning or spreading, and reduce symptoms of advanced cancer.
Hormone therapy can help improve cancer outcomes by reducing the risk of recurrence and boosting the quality of life in advanced cancer. However, it has side effects too.
To understand it better, let’s learn what exactly is hormone therapy.
What is hormone therapy?
Hormone therapy for cancer can slow or stop the growth of hormone-dependent cancers like breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Other benefits include preventing thinning of bones and reducing menopausal symptoms.
What are the different Types of Hormone Therapy?
Hormone therapy is most commonly used to treat breast and prostate cancers. It can also be used to treat endometrial and adrenal cancers.
Some common side effects of hormone therapy for cancer include
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) – used to treat breast cancer
- Aromatase inhibitors – used to treat breast cancer
- Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists – used to treat prostate cancer
- Antiandrogens – used to treat prostate cancer
- Tamoxifen – Used to treat ovarian cancer
Hormone Therapy Side Effects
Hormone therapy for cancer can have side effects that vary depending on the type of therapy, and the individual receiving treatment.
Some common side effects include
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness, discharge, itching, or irritation
- Menstrual changes (for women)
- Decreased sexual desire
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Nausea
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Headaches
- Digestive system problems
- Sweating
- Hair thinning
- Weight gain
- Impotence in men receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer
It is important to note that not everyone receiving hormone therapy will necessarily experience all of these side effects, and some individuals may experience additional or more severe side effects, but they are much less as compared to chemotherapy.
Special Dietary Needs During Hormone Therapy for Cancer
Patients receiving hormone therapy for cancer may have special dietary needs.
It can affect the body’s metabolism and may lead to changes in weight, appetite, and digestion.
Some potential dietary needs during hormone therapy for cancer include:
- Adequate protein intake to support muscle maintenance and growth
- Increased intake of calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone health, as hormone therapy can affect bone density
- Increased intake of fiber to maintain digestive health and prevent constipation
- Adequate hydration to maintain fluid balance and prevent dehydration
- Careful monitoring of carbohydrate intake for patients with diabetes or insulin resistance, as hormone therapy can affect blood sugar levels.
MedicoExperts Tumour Board will help develop a special dietary plan for you when you receive hormone therapy. The board members will check your health regularly and monitor the effects of the therapy.
Indications that hormone therapy for cancer is acting on the body
There are several indications that hormone therapy for cancer is acting on the body, which may include:
- A decrease in the size or growth rate of the tumor
- A decrease in symptoms associated with cancer, such as pain or bone fractures
- Changes in hormone levels in the blood or urine
- Side effects associated with the specific type of hormone therapy being used, such as hot flashes, mood changes, or fatigue
- Improvement in bone density for patients at risk of osteoporosis due to hormone therapy-induced changes
It is important to regularly monitor patients receiving hormone therapy for cancer to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and to identify any potential side effects or complications. Follow-up care and imaging tests can help healthcare providers assess whether the hormone therapy has the desired clinical effect.
MedicoExperts Tumor Board will do all the follow-ups to understand the desired effect of the hormone therapy.
Where to Receive Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy for cancer can be received at various treatment centers or healthcare facilities. The specific location where hormone therapy is received will depend on an individual’s medical history, diagnosis, and treatment plan, as well as the availability of providers who specialize in this treatment approach.
Hormone therapy can be administered as tablets. Tablets are a common form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and can contain either estrogen only or a combination of estrogen and progestin.
Breast Cancer: Role of Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is often used in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells have specific receptors that respond to the hormones estrogen and progesterone, stimulating their growth. Hormone therapy can be given either alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
The role of hormone therapy in breast cancer treatment is to block the estrogen effects on hormone-sensitive cancer cells, thereby reducing the risk of cancer recurrence or slowing down the progression of the disease. Hormone therapy can be administered in two ways:
- Blocking the production of estrogen: This approach is used in postmenopausal women. Drugs such as aromatase inhibitors, which block estrogen production, are used to keep estrogen levels low in the body.
- Blocking the effect of estrogen: This approach is used in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Drugs such as tamoxifen or fulvestrant block the effect of estrogen on cancer cells by binding to the estrogen receptors on the cells.
Prostate Cancer: Role of Hormone Therapy
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder in men. Hormone therapy is one of the treatment options for prostate cancer.
The goal of hormone therapy for prostate cancer is to reduce the levels of male hormones, particularly testosterone, in the body because testosterone fuels the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Hormone therapy can be administered in different ways. One approach is to block the production of testosterone using drugs such as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists or antagonists.
Another approach is to prevent testosterone from binding to prostate cancer cells by using anti-androgens.
Hormone therapy is useful in more than 90% of advanced prostate cancer cases. It is also being used increasingly in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy, to improve the outcomes of men with earlier-stage prostate cancer.
Ovarian Cancer: Role of Hormone Therapy
Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the ovaries, an organ that produces and releases eggs in women.
Hormone therapy is sometimes used in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Research suggests that estrogen may play a role in the development of some types of ovarian cancer.
Some studies have shown that hormonal therapy, such as tamoxifen or luteinizing hormones, may be effective in treating some types of ovarian cancer.
However, hormone therapy is generally reserved for cases where the cancer has recurred or has become resistant to other treatments. It is not typically used as a first-line treatment for ovarian cancer.
MedicoExperts Tumour Board
MedicoExperts Tumor board is a multidisciplinary team composed of medical experts from different areas of cancer care who work together to develop individualized treatment plans for cancer patients
In some cases, they may discuss the use of hormone therapy as part of the treatment plan, especially for hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancers and ovarian cancers.
Hormone therapy may be administered alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
The use of hormone therapy depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient’s health, and the response to treatment.
Conclusion
Hormone therapy is used in breast, and prostate cancers as well as ovarian cancer.
It may also be used to prevent certain cancers from recurring in high-risk patients. The decision to use hormone therapy for cancer should be individualized for each patient based on their specific cancer type and circumstances.
MedicoExperts Tumor boards may help to identify patients who are candidates for hormone therapy and provide recommendations for the most effective hormone therapy regimen based on the specific type and stage of cancer.
FAQ
Q 1. What is the success rate of hormone therapy for cancer?
Ans: In 80% of prostate cancer cases, hormone therapy can reduce the size of the tumour. However, hormone therapy can only be applied to certain types of cancer.
Q2. Which is better chemo or hormone therapy?
Ans: Although the side effects of chemotherapy are harsher than hormone therapy, they are transient in nature. Hormone therapy effects and side effects continue for a longer duration as it is administered for many years.
References
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/hormone-therapy
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/mht-fact-sheet
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424487/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5718454/
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-hormone-therapy-fact-sheet
