Hormone therapy for breast and prostate cancer

How it works

It comes in different forms: daily pills (such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors), periodic injections, and in some cases surgery on the organs that produce the hormones. The type of hormone therapy depends on the cancer, on whether the person has gone through menopause, and on the goal of treatment.

It is important to know that it only works on "hormone-sensitive" tumors: this is determined with tests on the biopsy tissue (hormone receptors). It is usually a long treatment — in breast cancer, often 5 to 10 years after surgery — and taking it consistently is key for it to do its job of lowering the risk of the disease coming back.

Sources: NCI, "Hormone Therapy to Treat Cancer": https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/terapia-hormonal · MedlinePlus, "Hormone therapy for breast cancer": https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000909.htm

Which types of cancer it is usually used for

• Breast cancer with positive hormone receptors (most breast cancer cases).
• Prostate cancer.
• Endometrial cancer in specific situations.
• At the unit, the gynecologic oncologist and the medical oncologist review the hormone-receptor results from the biopsy to prescribe this treatment when appropriate.

What receiving this treatment at the unit is like

• Pills: one dose a day at home, over years, with regular check-ups.
• Injections: depending on the medicine, every month or every 3 months, given at the unit.
• Monitoring: regular visits and tests to check tolerance and response; some regimens also include monitoring bone health.
• It requires no hospital stay and no long sessions; it fits into daily life.

Common side effects and how we help you through them

• In women: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, joint pain and, with some medicines, loss of bone density.
• In men: hot flashes, lower sex drive, tiredness, loss of muscle and bone mass.
• Many of these effects can be managed: medication adjustments, exercise, bone care (calcium, vitamin D, density scans), and support from the team. Never stop it on your own; bring up any discomfort at your visit.
• Source: NCI, "Hormone Therapy to Treat Cancer": https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/cancer/tratamiento/tipos/terapia-hormonal

Frequently asked questions

Is hormone therapy chemotherapy? No. It does not destroy cells directly the way chemo does: it blocks the hormones that feed the tumor. That is why its side effects are different and, in general, it lets you go on with your normal life.

Why does it last so many years? Because its main job is to keep the hormonal stimulus in check and lower the risk of the disease coming back over time. Stopping it earlier than prescribed can take away part of its benefit.

Does every breast cancer patient need it? No. Only tumors with positive hormone receptors respond to it; that is known from the biopsy tests. Come in for an evaluation to learn the characteristics of your case.

Used in the treatment of