The Different Types of Hormone Therapy

There are two main types of hormone therapy. One class of drugs stops the body from producing certain hormones. The other class allows the body to make the hormones but keeps them from attaching to cancer cells. Some treatments may include both drugs to get the full effect of androgen block. There are several techniques used to block androgens.

The techniques include chemicals called LHRH agonists. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. Most LHRH agonists are injected everyone to four months. These chemicals stop the production of testosterone in the testicles. They work the same way an orchiectomy works for men with advanced prostate cancer. This is commonly called "chemical castration." The effects are reversible if the medication is stopped. A new drug on the market is an implant placed in the arm one time a year. There are some serious side effects with LHRH agonists. Loss of sex drive, weight gain, development of breasts, decrease in "good" cholesterol, muscle loss, and hot flashes are all side effects associated with LHRH agonists.

LHRH agonists only affect the androgens that are made in the testicles. They have no effect on the 5 to 10 percent of hormones made in the adrenal glands. Anti-androgens do affect those hormones made in the adrenal glands. They don't stop them from being produced, but do stop them from having any effect on cancer cells. Anti-androgens have fewer side effects and many men prefer them because they have little effect on a man's sexual desire. They also have side effects such as tenderness of the breasts, diarrhea, and nausea. If treatment with anti-androgens does not work, they will sometimes still improve symptoms for a short time.

Another form of treatment is a combination of anti-androgens with LHRH agonists. This is called combined androgen blockade and can cut off or block all hormones made from both the testicles and adrenal glands. Using a combined treatment will also double the risk of side effects.

Estrogens may be another method of hormone treatment. This female hormone is used in treating male prostate cancer. These can cause a sever risk for serious cardiovascular side effects. This is why this particular hormone treatment is seldom used to treat prostate cancer. Other drugs are available to block cancer cells from growing including other anticancer drugs depending on the case.

The most extreme option is the surgical removal of the testicles or orchiectomy and is a permanent solution to the problem. It has some significant side effects such as loss of sex drive, painful breasts, weight gain, loss of muscle and fatigue. This is not a procedure that is done any more because it is not reversible.

Hormone therapy can cause thinning of the bones that can lead to bone breakage. Some medications have been developed to protect the bones from osteoporosis. It is important that you understand the details of hormone therapy. You and your doctor will decide which method of hormone therapy will be the best for you. His knowledge and the results his other patients have had are all important things to consider when choosing the right hormone therapy.

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