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Male sex hormones are called androgens. When prostate cancer cells develop, their continued growth is dependant upon testosterone, a type of androgen produced in the testicles and adrenal glands. The goal of hormone therapy is to slow the growth of prostate cancer by reducing the availability of testosterone.
There are 3 main types of hormone therapy:
involves surgical removal of the testes, where the majority of testosterone is produced.
is taken by injection. It block signals from the brain that instruct the testicles to produce testosterone.
is taken in a pill form. Anti-androgens block the testosterone released by the adrenal glands, from reaching the prostate. It is usually administered in combination with either orchiectomy or LH-RH analogue therapy in delivering a (CAB).
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