Hormone Treatment For Prostate Cancer: Treating This Disease

Cancer is a nasty disease that affects thousands of people all over the world each year. Prostate cancer in men happens when malevolent cells around the prostate gland become exposed to testosterone and androgens in the male body. The normal treatments for cancer - such as chemotherapy - are a treatment some men would prefer not to consider. Instead, hormone treatment for prostate cancer is used. When doctor's use this method, they suppress or deprive the body of the natural hormones that flow through the blood stream.

How does the hormone treatment work?

By using pills or injections, the hormones that are administered to the patient halts the production of testosterone and protect the gland from the other androgens in the body. Some patients react well to injections of oestrogen that counters the testosterone. Drugs are used to lower the levels or completely block the release of testosterone. These include antiandrogen agents, agonists, and LHRH analogs. Physicians may use both oestrogen and drugs in conjunction with each other to lower the testosterone production in the testicles, and adrenal glands. Unfortunately surgical removal of the testicles is required in order to stop stimulating cancer growth and hormone therapy will be used as well.

When can hormone treatment be used and by who?

If the cancer has moved outside of the prostate gland in the man, hormone treatment is commonly used. While it does not cure the malignant growth, it can help slow the spread of the cancer in the body. This helps increase the chances of the patient surviving, and if it does not work to slow down the cancer, then other methods and medications may be used or the doctor may suggest chemotherapy, surgery, or both.

Hormone treatment for prostate cancer is used for any degree of cancer. When a doctor decides which of their patients is a good candidate for this type of therapy, they take into effect their quality of life, treatment coast, and how safe and effective it will be for the patient. It is also commonly used after surgery to help the hormones level out in a mans body.