Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy (sometimes called endocrine therapy) is a type of cancer treatment used to treat cancers that rely on naturally occurring hormones to grow. Most commonly, hormone therapy is used to treat certain types of breast and prostate cancer. By blocking the body’s hormone production or preventing hormones from reaching cancer cells, hormone therapy can slow or stop cancer growth. Hormone therapy may be included in a treatment plan, used on its own, or in combination with other cancer treatments.
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA), our team develops personalized cancer treatment plans based on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as your overall health and treatment goals.
Understanding hormone therapy, how it works, and what to expect with this type of treatment will help prepare you for treatment.
How Hormone Therapy Works
Hormones are naturally occurring substances produced by glands throughout the body. Some cancers have receptors that allow them to use hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, to fuel their growth.
Hormone therapy drugs work by interrupting this process in one of two ways:
- Lowering or stopping the body’s ability to produce certain hormones
- Blocking hormones from attaching to cancer cells
Without the hormones they need, hormone-sensitive cancer cells may either grow more slowly or stop growing altogether.
How Hormone Therapy Is Given
Hormone therapy can be administered in several ways depending on the medication used. Treatment methods include:
- Oral medications, including pills or a liquid that you swallow
- Injections given in a muscle, such as in your arm, thigh, or hip, or right under the skin in the fatty part of your arm, leg, or belly
- Surgical ablation to remove hormone-producing organs, although this is much less common because of effective hormone therapy medications
Your HOA oncologist will explain your treatment schedule and the best method for your specific type of cancer.
When is Hormone Therapy Used for Cancer Treatments?
Hormone therapy may be recommended at different points during a patient’s cancer treatment depending on the diagnosis. Your oncologist may suggest hormone therapy:
- Before surgery or radiation therapy to help shrink a tumor
- After surgery to help reduce the risk of cancer returning
- As the primary cancer treatment to stop or slow the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers
- To manage symptoms when other treatments are not appropriate
Some patients, especially those with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, may continue taking hormone therapy for years after other treatments to lower the risk of recurrence and improve long-term outcomes. Your HOA oncologist will discuss how long treatment is recommended for your specific situation.
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer is the most common, accounting for about 70% of new diagnoses. This means that hormones such as estrogen and/or progesterone are causing the cancer to grow. Hormone therapy is usually recommended for these patients to slow the growth of cancer and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Several types of hormone therapy medications for breast cancer are available, including tamoxifen, anastrozole, and letrozole.
Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Most prostate cancers rely on male hormones called androgens, including testosterone, to grow. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, also known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), lowers the amount of testosterone in the body or blocks cancer cells from using it.
The treatment can block the production or use of androgens in one of the following ways:
- By blocking androgen production (synthesis) throughout the body
- By reducing androgen production by the testicles
- By blocking the action of androgens throughout the body
Common hormone therapies used for prostate cancer include bicalutamide, flutamide (available as a generic drug), nilutamide, apalutamide, darolutamide, and enzalutamide.
Hormone Therapy Side Effects
Because hormone therapy alters hormone levels in the body, side effects can vary depending on the specific treatment and how your body responds. The side effects of hormone therapy also differ between men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and women receiving treatment for breast cancer.
Common side effects of hormone therapy can include:
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Sexual dysfunction
- Bone thinning or osteoporosis
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Enlarged, tender breasts
- Vaginal dryness in women
- Changes to the menstrual cycle in women
Some side effects may subside after treatment ends, while others can last beyond the treatment period. Be sure to speak with your HOA oncologist if you need help managing any side effects from your cancer treatments.
Why Choose HOA for Cancer Treatment
Hormone therapy can last for months or even years, making it essential to have a supportive care team during your treatment. At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, our specialists work together to help you manage your treatment, minimize side effects, and enhance your overall well-being throughout your cancer journey. We are dedicated to providing personalized and compassionate care for patients with hormone-sensitive cancers.
We accept many types of insurance and care for patients throughout Central New York, specifically in the Syracuse area, including Camillus and all of Onondaga County; Auburn and the rest of Cayuga County; Madison County, including Oneida; Jefferson County, including Watertown; and throughout Oswego County, including Fulton and Oswego.
