Hormone Therapy is a form of treatment for cancer that involves introducing hormones, either artificial or natural, into the body to target and inhibit the growth of tumors. It can be used alone or as part of a combination therapy for cancers such as breast, prostate, ovarian and testicular cancers. Common treatments include luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists, aromatase inhibitors, antiandrogens, and oophorectomy.
Preparations
Before starting hormone therapy, there are several preparations to make. This may include an evaluation from your doctor to assess if you are healthy enough for the procedure, lifestyle changes like exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress levels to reduce side effects during the sessions.
What to expect
During each session of hormone therapy, your doctor will monitor changes in the body and check for side effects and they may give supplements depending on the results. Typically, these sessions involve injections or oral medications, but there are also some topical creams available. Many people notice improved energy levels and overall better health during these treatments.
Duration of the treatment
Hormone therapy generally lasts anywhere between several months to a few years depending on the severity of the disease and individual situation.
Common side effects
Common side effects from hormone therapy include hot flashes, increased appetite, insomnia, bone loss, hair thinning, fatigue, nausea, weight gain, headaches, mood swings, decreased libido and skin discoloration. While not all patients experience the same symptoms or intensity of them, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have.
Success rate
The success rate of hormone therapy depends largely on how early it was started and how well it is monitored by the healthcare team throughout the course of treatment. On average, success rates range from 50. – 80%, although this could vary from patient to patient. In some cases, long term remission is achieved with hormone therapy.