| For prostate cancer treatment we give the patient | | | | pill form and the drugs used |
| hormones that will suppress the | | | | are Eulexin, Casodex, and Niandron. Antiandrogen |
| male hormones (andrones) in their body. Androgens | | | | treatments is often used in |
| (male hormones) are produced | | | | conjunction with an Orchiectomy because even |
| mainly in the testicles. Sometimes androgens will | | | | after the orchiectomy there are sill |
| stimulate the growth of prostate | | | | androgens that will be produced by the adrenal |
| cancer and speed up the growth of the cancer cells. | | | | glands.Estrogens - largely replaced by LHRH therapy |
| If the levels of the androgens is | | | | because of severe side effects, the use |
| lowered then the cancer will grow much slower and | | | | of estrogens (hormones that produce female sex |
| possibly shrink. Hormone | | | | characteristics) was often used in |
| therapy is not meant to cure the cancer in the | | | | the past as a substitute for OrchiectomySide |
| prostate but if used in conjunction | | | | Effects of Hormone TherapyThe side effects for |
| with other therapy such as radiation or surgery if | | | | Orchiectomy and LHRH treatment are basically the |
| their is a risk of recurrence.There are numerous ways | | | | same:-reduced or no libido (sexual |
| that the androgen levels can be lowered in the | | | | desire)-impotence-hot flashes (these may go away |
| bloodstream:Orchiectomy - is the surgical removal of | | | | with time)-breast tenderness and growth of breast |
| one or both of the testicles which are the | | | | tissue-osteoporosis (weakening of bones) leading to |
| main source of androgen production in the male | | | | bone fractures-anemia (low red blood cell |
| body. By removing the testicle or | | | | counts)-decreased mental acuity-loss of muscle |
| testicles the levels of male hormones will drop | | | | mass-weight gain-fatigue-decrease in HDL ("good") |
| enough to slow the growth of the | | | | cholesterol-depressionThe Side Effects of |
| cancerLuteinizin hormone-release hormone analogs | | | | Antiandrogen Treatment-diarrhea-nausea-liver |
| (LHRH) - often chosen instead of | | | | problems-tiredness*Note that the biggest difference |
| having an orchiectomy, LHRH analogs are injected or | | | | between the side effects of LHRH treatment and |
| inserted as small implants | | | | Antiandrogen treatment is when Antiandrogens |
| underneath the skin. These injections are usually | | | | treatment is given alone their are |
| given every month or ever 3, 4, 6 | | | | less sexual side effects. The patients libido and |
| or 12 months. The LHRH analogs that are used most | | | | potency can still be maintained.Many of the side |
| of the time are Lupron, Viadur, | | | | effects noted above can be treated so if they do |
| Eligard, Zoladex or Trelstar.Antiandrogens - are given | | | | arise consult with |
| to block the action of the androgens (production of | | | | you doctor about what can be done to reduce |
| male | | | | them. |
| sex characteristics). Antiandrogens are given in daily | | | | |