Hormone therapy for cancer
What is hormone therapy for cancer?
Glands in your body produce hormones that act as messengers to tell your cells how to perform properly. But some hormones, like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, can also stimulate the growth of certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, endometrial (uterine), or prostate cancers. Hormone therapy (HT) works by blocking or reducing these hormone levels to slow or stop cancer growth.
At Penn Medicine, hormone-dependent cancers are treated by expert medical and surgical oncologists alongside gynecologists and urologists as part of an overall cancer treatment plan. Your care team collaborates to create an individualized approach that uses safe and effective hormone therapy targeted to your long-term treatment goals.
How hormone therapy treats cancer
Hormone therapy medications can help prevent cancer cells from growing. They disrupt how a hormone interacts with cancer cells to contain the growth of tumors.
For example, treating breast cancer with hormone therapy may involve using a medicine like tamoxifen that works by stopping estrogen from binding to breast cancer cells that have estrogen receptors. When estrogen binds to these receptors, it stimulates those cells to grow. Hormone medications can slow the growth of tumors by blocking the estrogen that fuels them.
Hormone therapy medications for breast cancer also include aromatase inhibitors, which block estrogen production by using an enzyme called aromatase. Other drugs interfere with the effects of estrogen on the estrogen receptor itself.
Your doctor will determine the best type of medication to meet your needs. They’ll also consider how hormone therapy may be combined with other treatments, like radiation or chemotherapy, as part of your care plan.
Types of cancer treated by hormone therapy
While hormone therapy is not appropriate for all types of cancer, it’s particularly effective for treating breast, ovarian, endometrial (uterine), and prostate cancers that are hormone dependent.
Examples of cancer types that use hormone therapy as part of their treatment plan include:
- Hormone receptor-positive breast cancers
- Prostate cancer that relies on testosterone to grow
- Ovarian cancer with hormone-sensitive tumors
- Estrogen-dependent endometrial cancer
Your doctor will identify which type of cancer you have and discuss whether hormone therapy might be an essential part of your treatment plan.
Ways to receive cancer-directed hormone therapy
Hormone therapy can be administered orally, by injection, using an implant, or through surgery. Your doctor will talk with you about which method can be most effective.
Your doctor may prescribe pills, capsules, or liquid hormone medications to take by mouth. These are typically taken at home, and the dosage and frequency will vary depending on the specific drug prescribed and the type of cancer you have.
Certain hormone therapies are administered through injections, which can be given into a muscle (like the arm, leg, or hip) or just under the skin in the abdominal area. The frequency of injections depends on the drug used and the cancer type. Hormone therapy injections are typically given at a treatment center or doctor’s office, though some people or caregivers may be trained to administer them at home.
Sometimes implants are used under the skin to deliver hormone therapy to your body, mostly to treat prostate cancer. These subcutaneous devices allow medications to be released at a controlled rate determined by your doctor. Your care team will place the implant during an office or clinic visit, often under the skin on your arm and may replace it on a regular schedule.
Surgery can also be a form of hormone therapy. For breast cancer, treatment may involve removing the ovaries (oophorectomy) to reduce estrogen production. For prostate cancer, treatment may involve removing the testicles (orchiectomy) to reduce testosterone production. Both surgeries can help reduce the body’s hormone production and slow cancer growth. If your doctor recommends surgery, they will share instructions to help you prepare for the procedure.
Recovering after hormone therapy as a cancer patient
When you receive hormone therapy, you may experience side effects that continue throughout and after your treatment. Your care team can help you manage unwanted symptoms to help you stay comfortable and feel your best.
Hormone therapy may have different impacts depending on the type of treatment you receive and your individual medical history. Your doctor will discuss any potential side effects with you and explain the benefits and risks to help you make informed decisions about your care. They’ll monitor your health closely and suggest ways to ease symptoms and maintain your overall well-being.
If you’re receiving hormone therapy for breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, you may experience:
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Vaginal discharge, dryness, or irritation
- Reduced sexual desire
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Muscle and joint pain
- An increased risk of fracture due to bone loss
- An increased risk of stroke, blood clots, cataracts, heart disease, and developing other cancers
If you’re receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer, you may experience:
- Hot flashes
- Reduced sexual desire
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Memory issues
- An increased risk of other health problems, including fractures due to bone loss
You can take steps to help support your health during hormone therapy:
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
- Ensure you get a good amount of sleep
- Limit your alcohol consumption
- Avoid tobacco and smoking
- Stay active with regular exercise
- Reach out for social and emotional support
Your care team can recommend helpful resources, like smoking cessation programs, to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Tailored treatments for hormone-dependent cancer
Your Penn Medicine care team provides expert treatment for hormone-dependent cancer. This includes prescribing hormone therapy as a standalone treatment or in combination with other cancer therapies. We tailor care plans to your specific needs based on your cancer type, stage, and overall health.
Our oncology specialists collaborate with your gynecology and urology providers to ensure that we treat your whole body with the latest, most advanced care so you feel comfortable and supported throughout your treatment journey. This includes nurse navigators who can answer your questions and provide streamlined access to support programs and services that help you and your family understand your options and feel confident in your care.
Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.