February 24, 2007

Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Tip! A prostate seed implant may be the only type of radiation therapy needed by a man with low-risk prostate cancer or it may be prescribed in addition to external beam radiation therapy in men with intermediate- and high- risk prostate cancer. The goal is to eradicate cancer cells while preserving healthy, surrounding tissue, such as the bladder, the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the penis), and the rectum.

For prostate cancer treatment we give the patient hormones that will suppress the
male hormones (andrones) in their body. Androgens (male hormones) are produced
mainly in the testicles. Sometimes androgens will stimulate the growth of prostate
cancer and speed up the growth of the cancer cells. If the levels of the androgens is
lowered then the cancer will grow much slower and possibly shrink. Hormone
therapy is not meant to cure the cancer in the prostate but if used in conjunction
with other therapy such as radiation or surgery if their is a risk of recurrence.

Tip! The growth of prostate cancer is relatively slow and may not be detected for many years. It also takes longer to spread beyond the prostate.

There are numerous ways that the androgen levels can be lowered in the
bloodstream:

Orchiectomy - is the surgical removal of one or both of the testicles which are the
main source of androgen production in the male body. By removing the testicle or
testicles the levels of male hormones will drop enough to slow the growth of the
cancer

Luteinizin hormone-release hormone analogs (LHRH) - often chosen instead of
having an orchiectomy, LHRH analogs are injected or inserted as small implants
underneath the skin. These injections are usually given every month or ever 3, 4, 6
or 12 months. The LHRH analogs that are used most of the time are Lupron, Viadur,
Eligard, Zoladex or Trelstar.

Antiandrogens - are given to block the action of the androgens (production of male
sex characteristics). Antiandrogens are given in daily pill form and the drugs used
are Eulexin, Casodex, and Niandron. Antiandrogen treatments is often used in
conjunction with an Orchiectomy because even after the orchiectomy there are sill
androgens that will be produced by the adrenal glands.

Tip! The chemical found in black pepper, which causes the tongue to burn, sweat to pour out and eyes to water commonly called as capsaicin is thought to be helpful in prostate cancer cure. US researchers have found that capsaicin can cause human cancer cells to kill themselves.

Estrogens - largely replaced by LHRH therapy because of severe side effects, the use
of estrogens (hormones that produce female sex characteristics) was often used in
the past as a substitute for Orchiectomy

Side Effects of Hormone Therapy

The side effects for Orchiectomy and LHRH treatment are basically the same:

-reduced or no libido (sexual desire)

-impotence

-hot flashes (these may go away with time)

-breast tenderness and growth of breast tissue

-osteoporosis (weakening of bones) leading to bone fractures

-anemia (low red blood cell counts)

-decreased mental acuity

-loss of muscle mass

-weight gain

-fatigue

-decrease in HDL (”good”) cholesterol

-depression

The Side Effects of Antiandrogen Treatment

-diarrhea

-nausea

-liver problems

-tiredness

*Note that the biggest difference between the side effects of LHRH treatment and
Antiandrogen treatment is when Antiandrogens treatment is given alone their are
less sexual side effects. The patients libido and potency can still be maintained.

Many of the side effects noted above can be treated so if they do arise consult with
you doctor about what can be done to reduce them.

Steven Wallace provides information about Prostate Diseases and Prostate Cancer
screening, diagnosis and treatment options at http://prostate-answers.com

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