Hormonal Therapy
Also known as: endocrine therapy, anti-hormone therapy
Cancer treatment that blocks the hormones that fuel certain tumours.
Definition
Some cancers — most importantly hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and prostate cancer — depend on hormones (oestrogen, progesterone or testosterone) to grow. Hormonal therapy (also called endocrine therapy) uses drugs to either block these hormones from reaching the cancer cells or to lower hormone production in the body.
Common examples include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer, and LHRH agonists and anti-androgens for prostate cancer. Hormonal therapy is usually taken for several years and is generally well tolerated, though it can cause menopausal-type symptoms, joint aches or loss of bone density that need monitoring.
See also
- Adjuvant Therapy — Additional treatment given after surgery to lower the risk of cancer coming back.
- Targeted Therapy — Drugs designed to attack specific molecules involved in cancer growth, with less harm to normal cells.
- Recurrence — The return of cancer after a period of being undetectable.
Related on this site
Questions about your diagnosis?
Bring your reports — we'll review them together and explain every term that matters for your care.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
This page is patient education, not a substitute for an in-person consultation. Cancer care must be individualised. Read our medical disclaimer →