Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that arises from cells from the prostate, a gland that is present in the male reproductive system. In advanced cases of prostate cancer, the original tumor will spread or "metastasize" to other parts of the body, making it harder to treat. However, because these metastases are still being formed from prostate cells, they are able to respond to hormonal treatments.
Mechanism
Prostate cancer is made up of cells from the prostate gland. Because these cells respond to a type of hormone called androgens, hormonal therapy can often be used to treat this type of cancer. Because androgens (such as testosterone) cause prostate cells to grow, most hormonal therapies work to block the effects of these hormones.
Orchiectomy
Orchiectomy is an operation that involves the removal of the testes. Despite the fact that this treatment is surgical in nature, its primary way of working is hormonal. Removing the testes stops 90 percent of androgen production and almost completely eliminates testosterone. This surgery is fairly inexpensive, but it can lead to a loss of libido, hot flashes and osteoporosis.
Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analogs
Luteinizing hormone is a hormone that increases testosterone levels. While luteinizing hormone itself has not proved to be a viable hormonal therapy, compounds that mimic the hormone that causes it to be produced (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) are an effective way of increasing luteinizing hormone and thus decreasing the production of androgens. This method of hormonal treatment can be very expensive, however, and generates many of the same effects as removal of the testes. Another side effect of this treatment is a sudden but brief rise in testosterone levels soon after the treatment has begun, a side effect known as testosterone flare.
Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Antagonists
Another method of hormonal therapy works by preventing the release of luteinizing hormone. Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists work to block the signals that cause the release of luteinizing hormone, thus preventing androgen production. However, these medications are less commonly used because of their ability to cause a severe allergic reaction.
Anti-Androgens
Even with the above therapies, small levels of androgens remain in the body. Anti-androgens are pills that prevent the prostate cells from responding to these levels of androgens. These pills are generally only used in conjunction with one of the above therapies, however, because they are not effective when androgen levels are normal.
Tags: luteinizing hormone, cells from, from prostate, hormonal therapy, prostate cells, above therapies, androgen production