Prostate Cancer Hormone Treatment
There are many different possible treatments for prostate cancer, and hormone treatment is one of them. It is often used together with another treatment such as before radiotherapy or after other treatments. This helps increase the chances of success of the other treatments. In some cases however it is used on its own as it can slow the growth of the prostate cancer, while also reducing the symptoms.
How hormone treatment works
Prostate cancer uses testosterone (a hormone) to grow, so by reducing the amount of testosterone or blocking its effects in the body the cancer may cease or slow down.
Usually, testosterone doesn’t cause any problems, but if there are cancer cells in the prostate they will stop growing or shrink when they no longer have access to it.
Possible side effects of prostate cancer hormone treatment:
- Sweating
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Loss of sexual desire. This is because of the lack blocking of testosterone, but usually passes once the hormone treatment finishes.
- Mood changes. Some men become depressed while on hormone therapy, and find themselves more emotional than usual. This can put an added strain on not only the man, but on those around them.
Alternatives
Hormone treatment is often used in conjunction with other therapies, and your specialist will be able to advise you on the best course of action. Other treatments can include “Radical prostatectomy” which removes the prostate gland, and radiotherapy which attempts to kill the cancer cells using radiation. Each have their own set of possible side effects.
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