The prostate is a gland at the base of the penis that makes the fluid portion of semen. Prostate cancer is the result of cells within the prostate developing genetic mutations that cause them to grow abnormally quickly. Because many cells within the prostate respond to certain hormones, prostate cancer is sometimes treated using approaches that target the body's hormones.
Androgens
Androgens are also known as male sex hormones, according to Urology Health. They cause certain secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and a deepening of the voice. In males, they are primarily produced by the testicles, though the adrenal glands also produce a small quantity of these hormones. Testosterone, which is the most potent androgen, can also be targeted as a way of treating prostate cancer.
Mechanism
One of the effects of testosterone is that it causes prostate cells to grow, according to Urology Health. This means that testosterone can also stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Consequently, removing or blocking the effects of testosterone can slow the growth of cancer cells that respond to these androgens. Urology Health indicates that hormone treatment does not work for all cases of prostate cancer but, in patients who have cancer that is sensitive to the effects of hormones, it is a useful approach.
Methods
There are three approaches that can be used for hormonal treatment of prostate cancer. Urology Health notes that the testes can be surgically removed, which dramatically lowers testosterone in the body. Another approach is called chemical castration, in which patients are injected with hormones that prevent the testicles from secreting testosterone. A third option is the use of medications that block the effects of testosterone. These drugs include bicalutamide, flutamide and nilutamide.
Effectiveness
Hormone treatment for prostate cancer is rarely done on its own, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In general, hormone treatment for prostate cancer is combined with radiation treatments. This agency notes that a study found that all men who received both modes of treatment survived for at least five years after their diagnosis, as compared to a 94 percent five-year survival rate for men receiving radiation treatment alone.
Side Effects
Hormonal treatments for prostate cancer, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, can have a number of side effects. Some men experience hot flashes, a diminished sex drive and swelling of their breasts. Men can also develop depression, osteoporosis, fatigue and memory loss. In addition, a 2010 article in Health Day notes that hormone therapy for prostate cancer puts men at an increased risk of having a heart attack and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
