What is Hormone Therapy and How Does it Work in Cancer Treatment?
Hormone therapy is a type of cancer treatment that focuses on slowing down or stopping the growth of cancers that depend on hormones. Certain cancers, like breast cancer and prostate cancer, grow faster when hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone are present. By blocking these hormones or lowering their levels in the body, hormone therapy helps control cancer growth. It is often used alongside other treatments like surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy to make them more effective. For patients seeking expert guidance, consulting the Best Uro Onco Specialist in Delhi can help in understanding whether hormone therapy is the right option.
How Hormone Therapy Works
Here are the main ways hormone therapy is used in cancer treatment:
Blocking hormone production: Medicines or surgery can reduce the body’s ability to make certain hormones. For example, drugs may stop the ovaries or testes from making hormones.
Blocking hormone action: Some drugs attach to hormone receptors on cancer cells and prevent the hormones from “feeding” the cancer.
Reducing recurrence: After surgery or radiation, hormone therapy is often given for years to lower the chance of cancer coming back.
Slowing advanced cancer: In later stages, hormone therapy can shrink tumors or slow their spread, improving quality of life.
Types of Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can be given in different forms depending on the type of cancer:
Tablets or pills: Easy to take daily, commonly used in breast cancer treatment.
Injections: Given every few weeks or months to reduce hormone production.
Surgery: In some cases, removal of the testes may be recommended to stop hormone supply.
Combination therapy: Sometimes hormone therapy is used together with targeted therapy or chemotherapy for better results.
Conclusion
In short, hormone therapy is a powerful tool in the fight against hormone-dependent cancers like breast and prostate cancer. By lowering or blocking hormones, it helps slow down cancer growth, prevents recurrence, and improves survival. However, it does not work for all types of cancer and may cause side effects such as hot flashes, mood changes, or bone thinning. Doctors carefully decide if this treatment is right for a patient based on the cancer type and stage. For the right treatment plan and expert advice, connecting with the Best Uro Oncologist in Delhi can make a big difference in achieving better outcomes.

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