- Prostate Cancer Hormonal Therapy
- How Hormones Affect Prostate Cancer
- Treatment of Early Prostate Cancer
- Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
- Other Hormonal Treatments
- Hormonal Therapy Side Effects
- Subcapsular Orchidectomy (Removal of Testicles)
- Understanding Your Treatment Options
- More Information
Prostate Cancer Hormonal Therapy
For many men with prostate cancer, treatment involves more than one option, and understanding how each approach works can make decision-making easier. Prostate cancer hormonal therapy is a well-established treatment that aims to reduce or block the effects of the hormone testosterone, which many prostate cancer cells rely upon for growth.
Depending on the stage of the disease, hormonal treatment may be used alongside radiotherapy, following surgery, or as the main treatment where cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
Professor Francis Chinegwundoh MBE believes that patients should have clear, balanced information about their treatment choices. This guide explains how prostate cancer hormonal therapy works, when it may be recommended, the different types of hormone treatments available, and the potential benefits and side effects.
Understanding these options can help you feel more informed and confident when discussing treatment with your specialist team.
How Hormones Affect Prostate Cancer
Hormones are substances that occur naturally in the body. They control the growth and activity of normal cells.
Cancer of the prostate is dependent on the male hormone, testosterone, for its growth. Testosterone is produced by the testicles. By reducing the amount of testosterone in the body it is possible to slow down or stop the growth of the cancer cells. It can shrink down the tumour and symptoms will
often disappear completely.
The levels of testosterone in the body can be lowered by removing the part of the testicles that produce testosterone (subcapsular orchidectomy) or by using drugs. The drugs can be given as tablets or injections, or a combination of both.
Treatment of Early Prostate Cancer
Studies have shown that for some men with early prostate cancer, a short course of hormonal therapy (4-7 months) before and during radiotherapy improves the results of the radiotherapy treatment.
The drugs may be continued for 2-3 years after radiation therapy if cancer is advanced and there is a high risk that it has spread to other parts of the body – this is known as adjuvant therapy.
In cancers which have broken through the capsule of the prostate gland a treatment with hormonal therapy may be advised to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading. This treatment may also be continued indefinitely.
Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Hormonal therapy is the standard treatment for prostate cancer which has spread or developed secondaries or metastases. Often there is very good shrinkage of the cancer and the disappearance of symptoms such as:
- Poor urinary flow
- Bone pain
- Tiredness
The duration of effectiveness varies but can last many years. Your doctor will monitor treatment response by:
- Assessing your symptoms
- Performing physical examinations
- Measuring your PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level – this is usually a reliable indicator of treatment success.
Other Hormonal Treatments
Oestrogen treatment may be used to control the growth of the cancer for some men. The main drug used is a man-made oestrogen called diethylstilboestrol (DES). It can cause swelling of the breasts, and can increase the risk of developing blood clots. Steroids may also sometimes be used.
Injections
Some drugs `switch off’ the production of male hormones from the testicles by reducing the levels of a hormone (luteinising hormone) produced by the pituitary gland. They are called pituitary down-regulators or gonadotrophin hormone releasing hormone analogues (GHRH analogues), and are given by injection under the skin. The injections are given either monthly or every three months.
Commonly used GHRH analogues are goserilin (Zoladex), leuprorelin (Prostap), triptorelin (Decapeptyl).
There is a newer class of injections, GHRH antagonists. An example being degarelix. These also reduce testosterone levels, but without the initial “flare” caused by the GHRH analogues. They work more quickly and do not require the concomitant taking of an anti-androgen. As they are relatively new, they are more expensive.
Tablets
Other hormonal therapy drugs work by attaching themselves to proteins (receptors) on the surface of the cancer cells. This blocks the testosterone from entering the cancer cells. They are called anti-androgens and are often given as tablets.
Commonly used anti-androgens are flutamide (Drogenil), cyproterone acetate (Cyprostat) and bicalutamide (Casodex).
Anti-androgens are also given with the first injection of a pituitary down-regulator. This prevents `tumour flare’ which is an increase in symptoms connected with the first dose of treatment.
Hormonal Therapy Side Effects
Unfortunately most hormonal therapies usually cause the inability to have an erection (sexual impotence) and loss of sexual desire. With orchidectomy this is permanent and with drugs or tablets it normally continues for as long as the treatment is given. If the treatment is stopped the problem may disappear. Some types of anti-androgens are less likely to cause impotence than others.
In about half the men who have drug hormonal therapies the side-effect which causes the most problem is hot flushes and sweating. Flushes do stop if the treatment is stopped, and in the meantime there are some medications that can help.
Hormonal treatment can also cause you to put on weight, and to feel constantly tired, both physically and mentally. The tiredness gets better if the drug treatment is stopped.
Some drugs (most commonly flutamide and bicalutamide) may also cause breast swelling and tenderness. This can often be avoided by giving a low dose of radiation to the breast tissue before starting treatment.
Different drugs have different side effects, so it is important to discuss the possible effects with your doctor before you start treatment. Being warned about possible side effects can make them easier to cope with at the time.
To reduce the risk of side effects, it may be possible to give the hormonal therapy for a few months and then stop for a time, before restarting it sometime later. This is known as intermittent therapy. It is as effective as continuous treatment.
Subcapsular Orchidectomy (Removal of Testicles)
Subcapsular orchidectomy is a simple operation. A small cut is made in the scrotum (the sac which holds the testicles), and the testicles (which produce testosterone) are removed. The scrotum will be smaller than before. The operation can be done as a day patient under local anaesthetic.
If a general anaesthetic is used you may need to stay in hospital for two to three days. Sometimes both testicles are completely removed.
Many men find the idea of this operation very distressing and feel that it makes them less of a man. However some men do not find this a problem. Orchidectomy can be effective in controlling the cancer and reducing symptoms in up to 80% of men who have it.
After the immediate effects (some pain, and often swelling and bruising of the scrotum) the side effects of hot flushes and sexual impotence are similar to those of drug treatment. Subcapsular orchidectomy avoids the use of drugs and possible side effects such as breast enlargement and tenderness. It is often the option chosen by elderly men with no desire to have an active sex life.
If your doctor feels that hormonal therapy is an option for you they will discuss the benefits and unwanted effects of both drug treatment and surgery. These are outlined in the table below.
| Treatment | Benefits | Unwanted effects |
|---|---|---|
|
Subcapsular orchidectomy (removal of |
- Fairly simple operation |
- Change in body image |
| Injections |
- No operation involved |
- The side effects are the same as for orchidectomy, but the side effects can be reversible. |
| Tablets |
- No operation involved |
- Need to remember to take tablets |
Understanding Your Treatment Options
There are several forms of prostate cancer hormonal therapy, including tablets, hormone injections for prostate cancer, and surgical approaches designed to reduce testosterone production. Some treatments work by lowering androgen levels within the body, while others block the interaction between testosterone and the androgen receptor on cancer cells. Collectively, these approaches are often referred to as androgen deprivation therapy.
Like all cancer treatments, hormonal therapy requires careful consideration of both its benefits and its possible drawbacks. Common side effects can include hot flushes, tiredness, weight gain, reduced libido and erectile dysfunction, although the severity varies considerably between individuals.
In some cases, specialists may recommend intermittent hormone therapy rather than continuous treatment to help manage side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
Professor Francis Chinegwundoh MBE understands that every patient’s circumstances are different. Whether hormonal treatment is being recommended following a diagnosis, alongside radiotherapy, or for recurrent prostate cancer, he will take the time to explain your options, answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about your care.
With the right support and ongoing monitoring, prostate cancer hormonal therapy can play an important role in controlling the disease and maintaining quality of life.
More Information
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