Hormone therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy, is the use of drugs or surgery to decrease the production of male hormones, or androgens, in order to stop or limit the growth of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is hormone-sensitive or hormone-dependent, meaning that prostate cancer growth depends on androgens, particularly testosterone. The goal of hormone therapy is to dramatically reduce testosterone levels in the blood, thus slowing the rate of prostate cancer cell growth. Hormone therapy is the primary treatment for prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland to distant sites, including lymph nodes, bone and other organs.
What is testosterone?
Testosterone is the major male hormone in the body. It stimulates bone growth, is a major determinant of libido (sexual desire) and is responsible for secondary male sex characteristics such as facial hair, deep voice and fertility. Testosterone also regulates the prostate gland. The testicles secrete between 90 to 95 percent of the body’s testosterone. The remaining 5 to 10 percent is secreted by the adrenal glands, two small glands located on top of the kidneys.
Can hormone therapy cure prostate cancer?
Hormone therapy is used to control the growth of prostate cancer. It is not a cure for prostate cancer. However, hormone therapy can shrink tumors and may stop or limit the spread of prostate cancer for many years.
Appropriate candidates for hormone therapy
Those who should consider other treatments
Hormone therapy methods
