How to Treat Prostate Cancer with Hormones

There are a variety of ways to treat prostate cancer with hormones. Several different hormonal treatments are available, depending on the type and severity of the cancer. All therapy is focused on lowering testosterone levels in the body.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Consult with a cancer specialist

1. Surgery is one option. By removing a testicle, one can effectively lower the testosterone levels. This can be a tough choice, because while it lowers hormone levels, it has many side effects such as depression, weight gain and mood swings.

2. LHRH analog is another form of hormone treatment. This costs more than surgery and is time consuming but has less of an emotional impact. LHRH analogs are placed under the skin, every 3, 4, 6 or 12 months.

3. LHRH antagonists such as degarelix work quite quicky. It is injected into the buttocks every 2 to 4 weeks, and it quickly reduces testosterone levels.

4. Another option is Anti-Androgens which block the body's ability to use any androgens. This drug is taken in pill form. Sometimes this treatment is used in conjunction with orchiectomy or LHRH analog.

5. If the other options are not working, many doctors recommend estrogen. The side effects are harsh and include possible blood clots and breast enlargement.

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