Disease and Nutrition

There are several types of treatment that is often recommended for prostate cancer and there are pros and cons to each one. Hormone treatments do work relatively well for many men. In fact, hormone treatment for prostate cancer is one way that some doctors choose to treat prostate cancer. In men, testosterone is the main hormone found in the testes. Sometimes there is an overproduction of these cells. When this happens, cancer can occur. For this reason, some treatments include hormone treatment for prostate cancer. Some men may need a different form of treatment, especially if the cancer is in the late stages. However, this may be the right treatment for many. Here is a little about how this type of treatment works and the advantages and disadvantages.

How Hormone Treatment for Prostate Cancer Works:

The main goal of hormone therapy to treat prostate cancer is to block the testosterone and decrease the chances of prostate cancer cells from forming or growing. Doctors want to stop or slow down the growth of these cells. Hormones are almost always recommended for young men and those are relatively healthy. Medications are used for hormone treatments. Most doctors will prescribe these medications to take three times a day. In addition, injections are also given once every three months. Here are some advantages of hormone treatment for prostate cancer.

• This type of treatment is usually a good option for men that have caught the cancer in its early stages. It is gentler on the body than other types of prostate cancer treatment.

• It usually works well. Men who get this form of treatment find that it does work relatively well. Some people prefer waiting it out, however, hormone treatment can help in that situation.

Here are the disadvantages of hormone treatment for prostate cancer:

• If it begins to fail to work, then it will not begin to work again. This means that another form of treatment will have to be pursued. One other option is to have the testes removed to take away the possibility of the cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body. This is often the best form of treatment for late stage prostate cancer.

• It has side effects. Side effects of hormone treatment for prostate cancer include decreased sex drive, nausea, breast enlargement, liver damage, fatigue, weight gain, hot flashes and reduced muscle and bone mass.

• Typical hormone treatments will not kill the cancer cells. Instead, it will reduce the size and amount of the cells. This type of treatment is not effective or recommended for late stages of prostate cancer.

Only you and your doctor can decide what type of hormone treatment for prostate cancer is right for you. When you find out you have prostate cancer, the best thing you can do is to do your research and work with your doctor to find the best treatment.