Home  >  Erectile Dysfunction  >  Hormonal treatment for prostate cancer

Hormonal treatment for prostate cancer

Hormon therapy for prostate cancer prognosis

Prostate cancer: treatment and prognosis

Have you been struggling unsuccessfully with PROSTATITIS and POTENTITY for many years?

Head of the Institute: "You'll be amazed at how easy prostatitis can be cured by taking it every day.

All the unpleasant consequences of Prostate cancer occur due to the fact that it occurs without symptoms. That is, the patient does not notice any special ailments and does not suspect that he has a disease. Only when the tumor reaches a significant size, metastases appear and urination is disturbed - the patient goes to the doctor, who diagnoses him with grade 4 prostate cancer. Can this cancer be cured? What are the consequences and how long to live after the diagnosis? Let's try to deal with these questions.

Briefly about the mechanism of development of prostate cancer

Our readers have successfully used M-16 to improve potency. Seeing the popularity of this tool, we decided to bring it to your attention. Read more here-

It has been established that the main cause of this oncology is the hormone testosterone. The higher its content in the body, the greater the likelihood of cancer.

In the initial, first stage, cancer cells are located on the surface of the prostate gland and do not cause concern to the patient. It is impossible to detect them using a rectal examination or ultrasound. The presence of oncology is determined only by morphological examination.

At the second stage, the cells penetrate deep into the tissue, small nodes and tumors appear. But at the same time, a person also does not notice the development of cancer in him, as in the first stage. You can detect the presence of oncology during a scheduled or unscheduled medical examination: at this stage, cancer can be detected using ultrasound.

Men at risk (from the age of 50) should be regularly examined by a doctor. The fact is that successful treatment is possible only in the first two stages. As a rule, they proceed without symptoms, and it can take up to ten years for prostate cancer to progress to the third and fourth stages.

In the third stage, the tumor grows, extends beyond the prostate, affecting nearby tissues. This is most often seen in the soreness of the lymph nodes. In addition, the growing tumor compresses the urinary canal, which makes it difficult to urinate. The speed of further development of oncology depends on the age and general health of the man, as well as on the location of the tumor.

In the fourth stage, prostate cancer is detected most often. At the same time, metastases spread rapidly throughout the body, sometimes in a day. First of all, the ribs, lungs, rectum and lymph nodes are affected. Further prognosis depends on how quickly treatment is started.

Signs of grade 4 prostate cancer

The symptoms of cancer at this stage will depend on the location of metastases in the body. The first thing to pay attention to is urination. With stage 4 prostate cancer, it is frequent, occurs with effort, cutting pain may occur. With this oncology, edema develops in the penis, scrotum, and legs. If the lymphatic system and bones are affected, then the symptoms will be as follows:

• gait change - lameness develops due to damage to the femur;
• frequent fractures, including compression of the spine;
• headaches and disturbance of consciousness occur;
• metabolism changes.

If the patient feels aches and pains in the bones, and urination is difficult and irregular, you should immediately consult a doctor. Modern diagnostic and treatment tools can significantly increase life expectancy in stage 4 cancer.

Methods of diagnosing cancer and its classification

To indicate the nature of oncology in stage 4 prostate cancer, the international classification T (tumor size), N (lymph node involvement) and M (presence or absence of metastases) is used. In turn, T-classification can have three different indicators:

• T4 - the tumor has spread outside the organ and started to affect healthy tissues;
• T4a - cancer cells have entered the rectum or bladder;
• T4b - the tumor passes through the muscles of the anus.

First of all, for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, ultrasound is prescribed and a rectal examination is performed. At this stage, it is possible to identify the presence of oncology, its size, localization. For a more accurate diagnosis in modern medicine, additional methods are used.

Our readers have successfully used M-16 to improve potency. Seeing the popularity of this tool, we decided to bring it to your attention.Read more here-

Visual diagnostics

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT) are prescribed. Obtaining an image of the organ allows the doctor to more accurately determine the nature of the tumor, its localization and spread, localization.

Prostate biopsy

This procedure, although unpleasant for the patient, allows, by histological analysis of cells, to determine what character the tumor has: benign or malignant (oncology). It is on the basis of this type of analysis that a decision is made on the type of further treatment.

Stage 4 cancer treatment methods

Despite the fact that in the vast majority of cases, treatment of cancer at stage 4 is impossible, it is possible to slow down the development of the process, thereby significantly prolonging the life of the patient. In rare cases, there is a chance for healing. In any case, you should not give up and refuse treatment.

Hormonal therapy

This type of therapeutic effect is aimed at blocking the synthesis of testosterone or, in extreme cases, slowing it down. Often the doctor stops at this type of treatment, in rare cases, an integrated approach is chosen, for example, with surgical intervention.

Drugs used in hormone therapy for prostate cancer and their purpose can be found in the table.

Estrogen or its derivatives

The use of Hormone therapy may not give the desired result. Cancer cells tend to adapt to the effects of drugs on them and, over time, continue to develop. If this happens, other types of treatment are prescribed.

Surgical treatment

This method of treatment is rarely used and only if the development of oncology disrupts the normal functioning of the body. A striking example is the compression of the urethra by a tumor. Types of surgery:

Complications such as bleeding and erectile dysfunction, as well as the risk of infection, make such operations a last resort.

Radiation therapy

Energy beams, such as x-rays, are used to neutralize cancer cells. Their impact reduces the intensity of reproduction of cancer cells, localizes the tumor. As a rule, this method does not provide complete healing and the patient agrees to it if he wants to preserve sexual functions

These are the main methods of influencing cancerous tumors. In addition to them, other methods can be used, such as intravenous administration of a radioactive drug, medications, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and so on.

Prognosis for grade 4 prostate cancer

In most cases, the prognosis is poor. With stage 4 cancer, metastases spread throughout the body and modern medicine is not able to neutralize them. However, a combination of modern techniques can increase the patient's life expectancy by 10 years. If you do not seek medical help, then life expectancy does not exceed four years. In this case, it is necessary to take into account factors that affect the course of the disease: the age of the patient, race, the general condition of the sick man.

Conclusion

It is obvious that there is no effective effect on stage 4 prostate cancer with the modern development of medicine. Therefore, it is recommended to follow preventive measures: refusal of fatty foods, especially over the age of 60 years, observation in a medical institution, a healthy lifestyle.

Hormonotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is quite common. Due to the difficulties of timely diagnosis, the diagnosis is established in the later stages, when the disease has already metastasized.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can block tumor growth.

What is the impact method based on?

The development of the prostate, the development of its cells is carried out thanks to hormones produced by the testicles. However, it is testosterone that provokes the emergence and growth of pathological cells that form a cancerous tumor. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is based on stopping the effects of testosterone on atypical cells. Androgen blockade allows you to minimize the concentration of male hormones in the body.

Physicians can influence a cancerous tumor in the following ways:

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer should:

Until recently, hormone therapy for prostate cancer was based on the introduction of male female hormones - estrogens. However, this hormonal treatment for prostate cancer had a large number of side effects:

• heart and blood vessels;
• gastrointestinal tract;
• immune system;
• blood indicators.

Today, prostate cancer is being treated with hormones that are analogues of luteinizing hormone. It is under its influence that the testicles produce testosterone. But with the introduction of large doses, the hormone binds the surface of the receptors responsible for interaction with it, and removes them from the general scheme. Thus, the instantaneous release of testosterone is replaced by a significant decrease in its level in the blood. The so-called medical castration gives a high chance of curing the patient. After three to four weeks, testosterone levels drop to 100%.

The PSA result in hormonal treatment of the prostate (which is a tumor marker) also indicates the effectiveness of the therapy: it decreases by 50-90%.

To improve potency, our readers successfully use M-16. Seeing the popularity of this tool, we decided to bring it to your attention. Read more here-

Preparations containing an artificial analogue of luteinizing hormone are similar in terms of the mode of action, effectiveness and effect on the body, the difference lies in the form of drug release.

Adjuvant hormone therapy after radical treatment of prostate cancer is indicated in cases where the tumor has spread beyond the prostate.

An insignificant part of testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands. If necessary, the patient is prescribed drug therapy that suppresses the production of the hormone, but does not completely isolate the adrenal glands.

Method of hormonal treatment of prostate cancer

In the course of clinical studies, it was found that malignant prostate carcinoma is hormone-dependent, in particular on testosterone levels. This urological pathology has a special developmental specificity and, if left untreated, progresses quite quickly, increasing the risk of death. For this reason, cancer can only be defeated with the complex use of various methods. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer has a depressing effect on the active development and division of cancer cells by reducing testosterone levels.

Effectiveness of hormone therapy for prostate carcinoma

At the initial stages of development, prostate cancer (PC), acting as a malignant neoplasm, is asymptomatic. For this reason, in 30% of urological patients, this pathology is diagnosed already at the stage of active metastasis.

At the onset of andropause in men, which is associated with the natural aging process of the body, there is an imbalance of hormones in the blood. An imbalance in the level of testosterone provokes the formation of a tumor-like formation of a malignant nature in the prostate. For this reason, hormonal treatment of prostate cancer is primarily aimed at reducing the production of androgens and reducing their impact on the male pelvic organs.

This method of prostate cancer therapy cannot be a panacea, despite its high efficiency in the primary course of exposure to lesions. Hormonal treatment is not able to destroy a malignant tumor, but only helps to slow down its progression. Oncologists have also found that some mutated cancer cells develop regardless of the amount of testosterone in a man's blood. Thus, hormone therapy for prostate cancer may not be fully effective due to the insensitivity of the tumor to drugs. At the same time, this technique is able to increase the effectiveness of other means of combating urological pathology when used in combination: targeted exposure to radiation, chemotherapy. As a result, the patient's painful symptoms decrease, and he returns to his usual life.

Hormon therapy for prostate cancer can be carried out in various ways, each of which is based on the analysis of the following factors:

• patient's age;
• presence of obesity;
• comorbidities of organ systems;
• stage of detected pathology;
• degree of tumor growth;
• individual symptoms of urological disease.

Indications and contraindications for the use of the technique

As medical practice shows, hormonal therapy for prostate cancer is used in the late stages of the tumor, when surgery or radiation has not shown a positive result in the form of a stable remission. This form of combating a malignant neoplasm in the prostate is carried out both in courses and without interruptions. In this case, surgical methods of influencing cancer cells or more modern medications are used.

Oncologists identify the following factors, in the presence of which hormone therapy for prostate cancer is contraindicated or vice versa is strongly recommended:

Surgery

Due to the fact that testosterone and prostate cancer are inextricably linked, hormone therapy is aimed at suppressing its production and reducing the negative impact on the natural functioning of the prostate. This technique for the treatment of PCa can be carried out with the help of partial or complete surgical castration, or with alternative medication.

Due to the fact that up to 90% of testosterone is produced in the testicles, the operation to remove them (orchiectomy) is one of the highly effective methods of therapy. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia. The testicles are cut off through small incisions on the sides of the scrotum, and a month after surgery it is visually impossible to determine that the operation was performed.

Orchiectomy has been successfully used in oncology since 1940, but now doctors are less and less resorting to this method of treating prostate cancer. This is due to the fact that the removal of one or two testicles reduces only 60% of the hormone produced. In addition, in 20-30% of cases of urological pathology, doctors detect cancer cells that are completely immune to hormone therapy and develop regardless of testosterone levels.

In such situations, such a radical operation is considered inappropriate due to the high risk of complications in the rehabilitation period and the degree of psycho-emotional disorders in men. To date, an alternative to surgical excision of the testicles has been developed - medical castration with drugs that inhibit the production of the hormone. Despite the more gentle approach of this technique, the synthesis of testosterone in the blood is restored after the cessation of taking special drugs.

Drug therapy

When diagnosing prostate cancer, hormonal treatment can be used the following medical substances: LHRH agonists and blockers, antiandrogens and inhibitors of their synthesis.

As an alternative to surgical castration, luteinizing hormone (LH) analogues are used by injection or implant placement. The principle of this technique is that LHRH agonists are similar in anatomy to the original hormones, and when they interact with the receptors of the hypothalamus (diencephalon), a decrease in the amount of testosterone in the patient is observed. Such effects are reversible after discontinuation of drugs, which include goserelin, leuprolide, triptorelin.

After the first intake of luteinizing hormone analogs into the patient's blood, test results show a short-term increase in testosterone levels, after which it decreases to a minimum concentration. The use of injections for prostate cancer is associated with the risk of a so-called outbreak in patients. This condition consists in exacerbation of the course of urological pathology and activation of symptoms, manifested in the form of pain in the limbs, lower back, autoimmune reactions (disturbance of blood clotting). To stop these negative consequences, oncologists prescribe antihormonal drugs for 14 days.

10% of the total amount of hormones is produced in the male adrenal glands. For this reason, methods of inhibiting the growth of testosterone in the testicles are not fully effective. Treatment of prostate cancer with antiandrogens is prescribed in combination with surgical or medical castration to enhance the effectiveness, but can sometimes be used as monotherapy. The hormonal drugs used in this method of combating the progression of a malignant tumor are as follows: bicalutamide, cyproterone acetate, flutamide.

The principle of action of LHRH blockers is similar to antiandrogens - the production of luteinizing hormones is inhibited, and as a result, testosterone levels decrease. The essential difference is that the antagonists do not provoke the flash phenomenon, therefore, this therapy is more easily tolerated by urological patients. At the moment, one drug from this group has been developed - degarelix, which is used parenterally once every 30 days.

In the male body there are also female androgens - estrogens. The method of using these hormones has a large number of adverse reactions from the cardiovascular system. However, oncologists do not refuse it in situations where androgen therapy has not yielded results in lowering testosterone levels.

The drug abiraterone belongs to the inhibitors of the synthesis of sex hormones. The uniqueness of the drug lies in the fact that it inhibits the development of testosterone in the testicles, and in the adrenal glands and in the cells of a malignant tumor.

Possible adverse reactions

The male hormone testosterone is responsible not only for erectile abilities, but also for many other processes. Accordingly, in its absence in the blood, a man is diagnosed with the following body reactions:

• decreased sex drive (libido);
• increased fatigue;
• increased bone fragility as a result of calcium leaching (osteoporosis is typical for prostate cancer with metastases);
• onset of erectile dysfunction;
• breast enlargement, soreness in the nipples;
• hot flashes in the upper part of the body, accompanied by increased sweating, a feeling of heat;
• due to metabolic disorders, muscle mass decreases and obesity of the urological patient occurs (fat contains carcinogenic substances);
• anemia develops (low hemoglobin content);
• the risk of diabetes mellitus, heart rhythm disturbances, blood pressure increases.

For these reasons, before starting treatment of a cancerous tumor in the gonad with hormonal drugs, it is extremely important to discuss all possible side reactions with your doctor.

Oncology has developed a technique of intermittent therapy that can reduce the undesirable effects of testosterone decline. The essence of this method of treatment lies in the fact that during the first six months the urological patient takes hormones to maintain a low level of prostate-specific antigen. After that, a break is taken until the PSA level reaches the desired level. During the period of rest from hormonal treatment in the body of a man, testosterone has time to recover to a normal value, and then the course of therapy is resumed.

Drink up to 2 liters of distilled water per day to avoid stagnant processes in the pelvic organs and the normal functioning of the urinary system, which primarily suffers from prostate cancer.

To reduce adverse reactions, oncologists also recommend following a certain diet, which consists in the need to exclude red meat, carbonated drinks, fried foods with a lot of spices. The daily diet should be dominated by fresh vegetables and fruits, a large amount of fiber, while the emphasis should be on fractional nutrition in small portions.

There is also a positive effect of physical activity on the course of urological pathologies. Physical activity is extremely important due to the high risk of obesity with hormone therapy. At the same time, it is not necessary to arrange heavy exhausting sports activities. It will be enough to do exercises in the morning, walk in the fresh air.

Survival forecast

Due to the fact that hormone therapy is prescribed for diagnosing severe stages of prostate cancer, it is quite difficult for oncologists to predict the life span of a urological patient. If the first degree of prostate carcinoma is quite easy to treat without radical methods, then the subsequent phases of the progression of the disease require complex combinations of various means of combating the disease. The overall prognosis of survival will depend on many factors: age, the degree of growth of the malignant tumor, the location of metastases, concomitant diseases.

According to medical data, after hormonal treatment, urological patients with the second stage of prostate cancer live for about 15 years, and with the third - up to 10 years. Many experts believe that when diagnosing grade 4 prostate carcinoma, a favorable outcome is less likely. Of course, it is not possible to achieve complete recovery with active metastasis in bone tissue and distant organs. However, with timely hormone therapy, you can extend the life of the patient by 3 years.

Due to the specifics of the progression of oncological pathologies of the prostate in men, it is extremely important to undergo annual preventive examinations for the purpose of early diagnosis of the disease.

Conclusion

Despite the progress of drugs in the pharmacological market, oncologists are in no hurry to give up hormones in the treatment of prostate cancer. This technique is used as an addition to the basic course of therapy. After hormonal treatment, constant monitoring of the level of the male hormone testosterone and PSA in the blood is required. It is a decrease in the amount of a specific antigen that will be a sign of the effectiveness of therapy.

Despite the large number of possible negative reactions from organ systems, this method of dealing with prostate cancer should not be abandoned. Careful adherence to medical recommendations helps to reduce the likelihood of Side effects. Do not forget that at the first signs of urological pathology, you should contact specialists in a timely manner due to the fact that the early stages of the disease are easier to treat and exclude the possibility of death.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

Modern hormone therapy for prostate cancer effectively inhibits the development and spread of cells. The method is prescribed in combination with radiation treatment and in the later stages of the disease. Surgical and medical therapy is widespread.

When hormone therapy is prescribed for prostate cancer

Male hormones are produced in the testicles and adrenal glands. Normally, androgens contribute to the normal functioning of the genitourinary system. Under the influence of age and other factors, accelerated production of hormones begins, which provokes the accelerated growth of malignant cells.

Hormone therapy for prostate cancer, regardless of the method used, has a common goal - to block the production of androgen in order to stop the accelerated development of cancer. The treatment is conservative, does not cure oncology, but promotes the remission of the disease.

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will determine the appropriateness and, together with the patient, will select the most effective method of hormone therapy. Indications for hormone therapy:

• Patient refusing radical prostatectomy or radiation treatment. Hormone therapy is carried out at stages 1-2 of the disease, provided that the tumor is located within the boundaries of the capsule and does not grow into neighboring organs and tissues.
• High PSA level - the tumor extends beyond the prostate capsule, but there is no metastasis. Changes characteristic of stage 2 oncology. Blood tests for PSA show an antigen content of over 25 ng / ml.
• Preparation for TUR - before surgery, it is necessary to reduce the volume of the gland. Hormone therapy helps reduce the prostate in a short time, making transurethral resection possible.
• At the 3rd stage of cancer - in this case, hormonal treatment is carried out both as monotherapy and in combination with surgery and radiation.
• At stage 4, it is carried out during or after radiation exposure, solely for the purpose of a preventive measure that prevents the recurrence of the pathology.
• Disseminated cancer - at this stage, combined hormonal treatment is carried out. An orchiectomy and androgens are prescribed.

The need for hormone therapy is determined by the attending physician, taking into account the general condition of the patient and after receiving the results regarding the aggressiveness of the oncological formation according to Gleason.

How long hormone therapy lasts

The principle of hormone therapy is based on blocking the production of hormones that affect the growth of cancer cells or limiting the influence of already produced androgens. The effect of treatment directly depends on the chosen technique:

• Drug treatment - a beneficial effect is achieved only while taking drugs. Hormones will have to drink for the rest of your life. After refusing to take drugs, the growth of cancer cells is completely restored after a short period of time. The terms for taking drugs are limited, due to addiction and reduced effectiveness. Another factor to consider is that long-term use of drugs causes hormone-resistant cancer, which is difficult to treat. There is no cure for cancer due to the use of blocking drugs. The maximum expected effect: stable remission or inhibition of the growth of cancer cells. For long-term therapy, intermittent hormone therapy is traditionally prescribed - a long course of treatment with short intervals to adjust the drugs taken.
• Surgical treatment - the duration of the surgical hormonal treatment is permanent. After an orchiectomy, androgen production is reduced by 90%.

The choice between medical and surgical castration is up to the attending physician. Each technique is used according to individual indications.

What is prohibited during hormonal treatment

Hormonal treatment of prostate cancer has its side effects and contraindications. The method is not used in the presence of cardiovascular diseases, primary therapy for localized cancer. During therapy, it is forbidden to eat fatty foods, drugs that limit the action of blockers.

Alcohol and smoking are completely excluded. Nicotine smoke contains cadmium salts - one of the catalysts for the development of cancer cells. Alcohol causes stress on the bladder and prostate, and changes the action of hormonal drugs.

A special diet is being developed. All dishes and food products that negatively affect the function of the prostate gland are excluded from the menu.

Types of hormonal treatments for prostate cancer

All types of therapy are conventionally divided into two groups: medical and surgical. Until recently, orchiectomy surgery had no analogues.

Modern hormones in prostate cancer, carry out drug castration.In terms of their effectiveness, medications are not inferior to surgical intervention, but they have many side effects and contraindications.

Regarding the psychological factor, the treatment of prostate cancer with hormonal drugs is a more gentle remedy. The consequences of the operation are irreversible. On the other hand, the effectiveness of orchiectomy is much higher than with hormonal drug therapy. In severe conditions, the maximum androgen blockade is performed.

Surgical castration

Adjuvant hormone therapy - orchiectomy, is performed in case of rapid growth of cancer cells, high PSA levels and extremely unfavorable prognosis of drug therapy. The essence of the surgical operation is to remove the main source of androgen production - the testicles of a man.

In a modern orchiectomy, implants are placed in the scrotum. Plastic surgery recreates the appearance of the testicles, which reduces the psychological rejection of the procedure by men.

Medicated hormone therapy

Neoadjuvant (non-surgical) hormonal therapy for prostate cancer is carried out under the supervision of the attending urologist - oncologist. In the course of therapy, the treatment plan, depending on the results, changes and is adjusted. Practice has shown that the constant use of hormones is fraught with serious consequences and is ineffective.

The current standard of care is intermittent hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The essence of the method is to take drugs in courses with short breaks. Treatment methodology is developed individually. After each course, doses and types of drugs are adjusted.

Luteinizing hormone is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and is subsequently used as a catalyst for the production of testosterone. Blockers stop the increased production of these substances. During hormone therapy with LHRH drugs, the following results are observed:

Recommended gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists Degarelix, Lupon, Trelstar, Zoladex. The drug is administered as a subcutaneous injection, once a month. Frequent complications are pain and swelling at the injection site, increased liver fermentation.

Antiandrogens

Antiandrogens are drugs whose action is aimed at blocking the action of testosterone, and not its production. The active ingredients prevent the growth of cancer cells under the influence of testosterone. Among the latest achievements of hormone therapy, the creation of anti-androgens with a minimum number of side effects.

Traditional problems from long-term use of drugs: the risk of developing diabetes and disruption of the cardiovascular system.

Female sex hormones considered to be testosterone antagonists. Androgen blockade is prescribed if antiandrogens have failed. Due to the large number of negative effects and contraindications, the use of estrogens is considered undesirable.

Hormonal preparations containing estrogen for prostate cancer are used only if the effectiveness of therapy justifies the risk of side effects. One of the possible side effects: swelling and growth of the mammary glands.

Combination therapy

Combination of drugs in combination with orchiectomy is the second line of hormone therapy for prostate cancer. Treatment is prescribed if the medication has not given significant results, increased testosterone production continues to occur.

The prognosis of hormone therapy in combination with surgical removal of the testicles is favorable. A stable blockade of testosterone is achieved, a decrease in blood volume by 90%. Only surgery without taking hormones gives a reduction of 60%.

Combinations of hormonal drugs without the use of radical surgery are also justified, especially given the increased effectiveness of the latest generation of drugs.

Consequences of hormonal treatment for prostate cancer

The effect of hormonal treatment on a man necessarily affects his well-being. A decrease in testosterone in the blood leads to the development of male menopause with characteristic symptoms:

• The development of anemia - the consequences of hormones are manifested in chronic fatigue and other symptoms of anemia.
• Weight gain, muscle and fat gain are some of the most common side effects of prostate cancer treatment with hormones. If you do not control the weight with exercise and sports, obesity quickly develops.
• Decreased libido - violations affect both the desire itself and physiological functions, erection. The usual measures to preserve potency: taking Viagra or other drugs are ineffective. The task facing the attending physician is to make sex regular and complete during hormonal treatment. Moderate sexual relations stabilize the work of the prostate gland and have a beneficial effect in the treatment of cancer.
• Complications in the work of the cardiovascular system is another serious consequence of hormone therapy. Usually begins in combination with diabetes.
• Enlargement of lymph nodes - swelling, soreness, redness are observed at the location of the nodes. The state of the lymph nodes depends not only on the intake of hormones, but also on the stage of oncological processes.

Combination therapy, taking place in small courses, helps to stabilize the patient's condition and fully control the negative effects that appear. If there is no positive dynamics, they change the method, completely refuse to take hormones in favor of orchiectomy.

Diet in the treatment of prostate cancer with hormone therapy

The lifestyle of hormone therapy differs significantly from that of a patient undergoing other types of treatment. Diet and eating habits are adjusted to take into account the likely negative effects of long-term drug use:

• Rejection of fatty and unhealthy foods - there is a serious threat of obesity, which will negatively affect the condition and functions of the prostate gland. The diet should include seafood, boiled and baked dietary meat is allowed.
• Crushed food - for better absorption of food, the diet is divided into 5-6 small portions. Crushed food does not put a strain on the heart and helps to better digest products.
• Focus on vegetables and healthy foods. The diet is developed taking into account the development of problems of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems of men.
• No alcohol.

Hormonal drugs for the treatment of prostate cancer have not only a positive effect on the body. You can reduce the intensity of negative effects by eating right. The attending physician will select a diet based on the patient's preferences and existing health problems.

Hormone therapy is widely used to combat hormone-dependent prostate cancer. It is prescribed as a combination treatment and monotherapy.

The use of hormone therapy for prostate cancer: drug groups, treatment efficacy and possible complications

Prostate cancer in most cases is hormone-dependent. That is, the tumor cells multiply, and the oncological formation itself increases in size under the influence of male sex hormones (mainly testosterone), which are produced by the testicles. Accordingly, to stop the dangerous process, it is necessary to stop the production of male hormones.

And since the natural cessation of the production of the corresponding substances is impossible, hormonal preparations (hormone therapy) are used that can provide the desired medical effect.

The effect of hormone therapy in prostate cancer at different stages

The choice of hormonal drugs, the duration of the course, as well as its intensity is carried out taking into account the age, body weight, height of the patient and some other points.

Not the last place in this list is the stage of the disease. If we are talking about prostate cancer with metastases, the doctor may prescribe hormone therapy for palliative purposes.

In this case, the action of drugs will be aimed at prolonging the life of the patient, eliminating pain, as well as improving the quality of life of a man. The drugs that the patient takes inhibit the production of testosterone, which helps to slow down the growth of cancer cells and inhibits the process of metastasis of the disease.

In cases where the cancer has not had time to metastasize, and the patient needs an operation to remove the prostate, the doctor may prescribe several doses of hormones to the man in order to reduce the size of the prostate.

Normalization of the volume of the gland significantly increases the likelihood of a successful operation without complications. In such situations, the surgeon manages to preserve the nerve bundles responsible for urinary retention and erectile function.

Groups of hormonal drugs for prostate cancer

To normalize the patient's hormonal background and stop the course of a dangerous process, the doctor may prescribe a man to take medicines from the following groups:

• LHRH agonists. This is a new class of drugs, the main action of which is to reduce the intensity of testosterone production and lower PSA levels, as a result of which the growth of cancer cells stops or significantly slows down;
• antiandrogens. Another group of drugs that at the receptor level interfere with the biosynthesis, secretion and action of endogenous testosterone and inhibit the manifestation of sexual functions. In the case of cancer, such an effect of the drug helps to reduce the intensity of tumor growth. The drug should not be stopped abruptly;
• estrogens. These are female sex hormones, the use of which in prostate cancer has a positive effect in 70-80% of cases.The cost of this method is affordable, but the use of female hormones can cause a large number of complications. Therefore, estrogens are in most cases replaced by antiandrogens.

Side effects of drugs and contraindications

The use of hormonal drugs often causes a number of side effects. The reason for their development is the inhibition of the process of testosterone production, the role of which in ensuring the normal functioning of the male body is quite large.

Complications a patient may experience include:

• osteoporosis;
• reducing the volume of muscle tissue;
• mood swings;
• hair loss;
• fluid retention in tissues;
• some other manifestations.

Side effects may occur together or separately.

How exactly the intake of hormonal drugs will affect the patient's condition will depend on the characteristics of the organism.

Monitoring the effectiveness of hormonal treatment

In order to ensure the treatment process with complete control, the patient needs to undergo some studies (MRI, blood tests, and so on), which allow obtaining reliable data on the level of PSA and testosterone in the blood, the size of the prostate, the volume of the tumor.

Also, for the purpose of control, the doctor can monitor the condition of the liver and the cardiovascular system.

Comparison of hormone therapy with other methods of cancer treatment

Properly prescribed hormonal treatment for prostate cancer can achieve positive dynamics in about 80% of cases.

However, do not forget that everything depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Compared to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, hormone therapy has a milder effect. Therefore, in especially severe cases, hormonal treatment is not prescribed, since experts recommend the immediate use of "chemistry" or radiation.

Prognosis and Survival

If in the early stages the disease responds well to treatment without the use of radical methods, then in more complex clinical cases, various combinations of methods are required to achieve positive dynamics or slow down the tumor growth process.

However, doctors still believe that, on average, patients with prostate cancer of the 2nd degree prolong their life with hormone therapy by 15 years, and 3rd degree - by 10 years.

Stage 4 cancer does not give favorable prognosis, but it is not uncommon for patients suffering from stage 4 of the disease to live after a course of hormone treatment for about 3-4 years.

Hormone therapy for prostatitis

The use of hormonal drugs for prostatitis has two goals: eliminating inflammation and improving a man's sexual abilities.

In the first case, hormones of the glucocorticoid group are taken. To eliminate the inflammatory process and prevent the growth of prostate volumes, female sex hormones are used.

Related video

About hormone therapy for prostate cancer in the video:

Despite the abundance of medicines and innovative methods of treating prostate cancer, experts are in no hurry to write off hormonal drugs. The use of hormones can be used as part of a complex therapeutic process, allowing to enhance the effect of other methods and methods of treatment.