Cancer researchers have established that certain hormones found in our body might be responsible in furthering the growth of cancer cells. Researchers concede that if those hormones are blocked, they can prevent cancer cells from growing further. Hormones are naturally produced hormones by organs and they make up the endocrine system. The hormones are responsible for coordinating various organ functions and they travel through bloodstream. Cortisol, insulin, testosterone, estrogen and epinephrine are some of the hormones produced by the body.

 For cancer treatment, the hormone therapy can be used in three ways – by blocking the hormones from reacting, by preventing the body to produce certain hormones and eliminate the hormone receptors on cells to make them incapable to attach itself to the cell receptor. Certain people mistake hormone therapy for hormone replacement therapy but both are different from each other in its function. While hormone therapy is for cancer treatment; hormone replacement therapy is given to menopausal women when the body no longer makes necessary hormones.

The role of hormone therapy has been established through numerous clinical trials and is often used for prostrate and breast cancer treatment. Further researches are underway to determine whether this cancer treatment can be used for treating other cancers or not. Surgical intervention, injection and oral medications are the three ways to administer hormone therapy. This therapy is considered to be a “systemic” therapy, which means that it can travel throughout the body equally; therefore, it is no less potent than chemotherapy.

However, there are certain side effects one has to deal with. The side effects are a result of certain hormones being deactivated in the system. For instance, women receiving hormone therapy may experience nausea, vaginal dryness, weight gain, night sweats, hair loss, hair thinning, blood clotting, muscle pains, joint pain and increased risk of uterine cancer. In men, there can be breast tenderness, low sex drive, hot flashes, tiredness and increased risk of impotence.

In short, when the hormone therapy reduces body’s natural hormones, it leads to a higher risk of osteoporosis development and to counteract the side effect, bisphosphonate therapy is recommended.  To know whether the cancer treatment is working for the patient, doctors ask for radiological studies like PET scans, MRI scans and CT scans. These scans help to identify treatment progress – whether the cancer has shrunk in size, stayed the same or grown.