Hormone therapy for prostate cancer indications and side effects

Prostate cancer caused by tumor growth and mutation of healthy cells into one of the most common diseases in oncology, which provokes prostatitis, namely the transition to an advanced stage, if timely treatment is not carried out.

A tumor in the prostate requires a combined approach to treatment. The development is carried out by oncologists using methods: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy for a tumor in the prostate. When choosing, doctors are based on the stage of the disease, the level of PSA in the blood, concomitant chronic diseases.

Often diagnosed in patients with hormone-dependent cancer with the growth of a tumor-like body due to the production of the testes and the production of a large amount of hormones (testosterone, progesterone). It is testosterone that provokes an increase in neoplasms in the prostate. To suppress the effect of this hormone means to suspend the process of malignancy of pathogenic cells and hormone therapy can play an important role in this.

The main goal of therapy is to slow down the development and spread of mutating cells throughout the body, block the action of testosterone and reduce its production. Today, hormone therapy is one of the most effective methods in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Types of Prescribed Drugs

Hormonal drugs with a form of release in tablets and injections are able to slow down, stop the natural production of hormones, reduce testosterone production, thereby halting tumor growth.

The most prescribed medications for reducing testosterone synthesis in men are:

• antagonists (Flutamide, Bicalutamide);
• estrogens, female sex hormones;
• antiandrogens for relieving pain in joints and bones, eliminating impaired urination.

The safest type of hormone therapy is considered to be medical castration by injecting drugs to block testosterone production. The technique is more effective at an early stage in the development of oncology, when agonists are administered to neutralize testosterone production.

HELP! Antiandrogenic agents are not chemical components, but they are quite capable of stopping the oncological process, involving male sex hormones and without leading to a decrease in testosterone production

In treatment, estrogens, like female sex hormones, are applicable. Although the technique requires a careful approach to the appointment due to the presence of many side effects and contraindications.

When appointed?

Hormone therapy is most often prescribed at stages 3-4 of cancer, when metastases have already spread throughout the body. Most of the treatment is carried out by injections, so patients must be admitted to a hospital.

Hormone therapy works when the tumor reaches an impressive size and becomes inoperable. It is usually prescribed to elderly patients at stages 3-4 of cancer in the case of a palliative form and no improvement in patients after radiation, chemotherapy. In particular, surgical intervention does not bring the desired results.

Hormone therapy is prescribed in continuous, long courses, promotes:

• minimizing pain;
• normalization of general well-being;
• prolonging the life of patients.

The therapy scheme is selected individually by the attending physician. As a rule, it is prescribed for recurrent cancer, secondary manifestations of unpleasant symptoms, tumor growth outside the prostate, the formation of multiple metastases.

Prescribing therapy is possible:

• after a surgical operation in order to inhibit the growth of cancer cells;
• before radiotherapy to be more effective;
• for prophylaxis in order to avoid secondary development and growth of tumors to stop the division of atypical cells;
• in case of refusal by patients from irradiation due to negative effects on the body and many side symptoms.

Often, hormone therapy is carried out in combination with estrogen therapy. This is a modern technique with the aim of neutralizing male hormones. After the treatment, the patients will have a long period of rehabilitation, supervision by doctors in order to suspend the side effects that occur later.

Side effects

Hormone therapy, like any other emergency intervention in the body by exposure to hormones, often leads to serious consequences.

Among the side effects in patients, it is noted:

• mood swings;
• depression;
• chronic fatigue;
• gynecomastia;
• nipple tenderness;
• osteoporosis with decreased bone density;
• anemia with a sharp decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• impaired concentration;
• insomnia;
• nervousness;
• increased heart rate;
• decreased thermoregulation;
• hyperhidrosis.

Hormone therapy can provoke the development of heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impotence, osteoporosis, thrombus formation, gastrointestinal upset, obesity in men.

Hormonal treatment of prostate cancer is carried out only under the supervision of the attending physician. After all, it is precisely the correctly selected medicines that will avoid unnecessary deterioration of well-being and the manifestation of negative signs that have arisen against the background of a strong modification of the hormonal status.

How to avoid adverse reactions?

Hormonal drugs, one way or another, negatively affect metabolic processes in the body, lead to obesity, decreased muscle tone, and negatively affect the autonomic nervous system. Often, patients complain of impaired thermoregulation of the body, increased heart rate, fever, deterioration of potency.

To avoid side effects means to strictly follow all the prescriptions and instructions of the doctor. Diet plays a big role. It is important for patients with Prostate cancer to radically revise their diet, exclude fatty, spicy, salty foods. The predominant diet should be fruits, vegetables, dairy products. It is important to make food fractional up to 5-6 times a day and in small doses. At the same time, completely exclude the use of strong coffee, alcohol and do not neglect the drinking regime, drinking at least 2.5 liters of pure water per day.

HELP! It is smoking that activates cancer cells in the prostate, so it should also be banned for patients. It is important to get rid of this negative habit completely

The role of estrogen in prostate cancer

Hormone therapy for malignant prostate cancer has recently begun to be used. But it is considered effective, despite the many side effects.

It is the estrogen treatment of prostate tumors that promotes:

• lower testosterone levels;
• stopping the growth of malignant cells;
• improving the general well-being of patients.

The effectiveness of therapy was noted in more than 75% of patients. Of course, the technique has not received general acceptance among patients due to the many side effects. However, hormone therapy is often prescribed at stage 4, palliative stage of prostate cancer with metastases, when other methods and operations become ineffective.

What is the forecast?

But for a favorable outcome in the treatment of prostate carcinoma in the reproductive system in men, a thorough, comprehensive approach is required. It is difficult to predict treatment with hormone therapy in the last, advanced stage of prostate cancer. Positive dynamics is noted only at the initial stage. However, in any case, therapy can prolong the life of patients and maintain their ability to work for some time.

An important role in treatment is played by the level of antigen in the blood, the stage of the disease, the presence of metastases after the course of hormone therapy. Only an oncologist will be able to assess the effectiveness of treatment and identify side effects. Therapy requires a careful approach and supervision by specialists.

The prognosis depends entirely on the age of men, the stage of oncology, the size of the tumor, the presence (absence) of metastases. If hormone therapy is carried out at the second stage of cancer, it will extend the life of patients up to 15 years. If at 3 stages in up to 10. Patients no longer have to count on a long life at stage 4 of oncology. The survival rate for 3-5 years does not exceed 15% of cases.

For men, it is important to do the following:

• dose the regimen of work and rest;
• eliminate weight lifting;
• get enough sleep;
• walking more in the fresh air;
• perform daily special exercises developed in conjunction with a doctor;
• include vitamins, foods with calcium (cheese, fish, cottage cheese) in the diet;
• avoid stress, trauma and physical overload that can only accelerate tumor growth.

Hormone therapy involves keeping testosterone levels under control. If you manage to reduce it, it means that the treatment is successful. If doctors insist on hormone therapy, then patients should not refuse. It is at stages 3-4 of prostate cancer that this is often the only right decision in order to improve the quality of life, and a properly selected therapy regimen can even lead to a complete recovery.