Hormonal Therapy
What is Hormonal Therapy?
Hormonal therapy is a type of cancer treatment that blocks or lowers hormones in the body to slow or stop the growth of certain cancers.
Some cancers grow in response to hormones like:
Estrogen (in many breast cancers)
Testosterone (in prostate cancer)
Hormonal therapy works by either:
Reducing hormone levels
Blocking hormone receptors on cancer cells
Cancers Commonly Treated with Hormonal Therapy
Breast cancer (Hormone receptor–positive)
Prostate cancer
Endometrial (uterine) cancer (in selected cases)
How Hormonal Therapy Works?
🔹 In Breast Cancer
Blocks estrogen receptors (e.g., SERMs)
Reduces estrogen production (aromatase inhibitors)
🔹 In Prostate Cancer
Lowers testosterone levels
Blocks testosterone action (Androgen Deprivation Therapy – ADT)
Types of Hormonal Therapy
1️⃣ Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Block estrogen from attaching to cancer cells.
2️⃣ Aromatase Inhibitors
Reduce estrogen production in postmenopausal women.
3️⃣ Ovarian Suppression
Stops ovaries from producing estrogen.
4️⃣ Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)
Reduces testosterone in prostate cancer.
5️⃣ Anti-Androgens
Block testosterone from reaching cancer cells.