Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

One of the treatments for breast cancer is hormone therapy. Therapy that affects the performance of the endocrine system, is used primarily to inhibit the growth of cancer cells influenced by hormone levels.

In addition to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, breast cancer treatment can also be done through hormone therapy. This treatment is done by regulating the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, so that the risk of breast cancer can be controlled.

Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

Benefits of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

In general, the benefits of hormone therapy for breast cancer are:

  • Inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
  • Reduces the risk of spreading cancer cells to other tissues.
  • Reduces the size of tumors in the breast before surgery.

In addition, hormone therapy is also expected to reduce the likelihood of someone experiencing breast cancer again after treatment.

It is important to know that not everyone is suitable for hormone therapy. This therapy is more suitable for patients with breast cancer conditions with types of cancer cells that have positive hormone receptors. Both estrogen and progesterone, both of which can stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.

Most people with breast cancer have estrogen positive receptor cancer cells, which are referred to as positive ER ( estrogen receptor-positive ) Whereas breast cancer that responds to changes in the levels of the hormone progesterone is called positive PR (i> progesterone receptor-positive ). In some cases, a breast cancer sufferer can have both receptors.

The type of hormone therapy given will be adjusted to the type of cancer suffered, the stage of the cancer, and the physical condition of the patient in general.

Types of Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer

There are at least two types of hormone therapy that are usually used in the treatment of breast cancer. The first type of hormone therapy in the form of a drug that makes the hormones estrogen and progesterone stop helping the growth of breast cancer cells, including:

  • Selective e strogen r Receptors m (SERMs)
    SERMs are treatments that prevent breast cancer cells from absorbing estrogen. The most commonly used SERMs include:
    • Tamoxifen, which works by stopping the hormone estrogen that binds to cells. The goal, so that the cancer does not grow and divide. According to research, taking tamoxifen for 5 to 10 years can prolong life. Breast cancer also tends not to recur.
    • Toremifene, recommended for patients who have taken Tamoxifen but the results are not satisfactory. This type of drug is only approved for treating breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
    • Fulvestrant, usually used to treat advanced breast cancer.
  • Aromatase strong> i ( Als)
    This drug is used to prevent fat tissue from producing estrogen but does not prevent estrogen production from the ovary. So that AIs are considered to be effective only for postmenopausal women.

Then the second type of hormone therapy is drugs or surgery to stop hormone production from the ovary, for example:

  • (LHRH)
    This drug is given to stop the production of the estrogen hormone from the ovary. Menstruation will stop during this treatment.
  • Ovarian a blation
    This type of hormone therapy can be an option for women who have not experienced menopause. Ovarian ablation is done by lifting or closing the ovary so that estrogen production stops.

Under certain conditions, both types of hormone therapy can be combined. It should be noted, so that effective therapy must affect hormone levels in the body, so that it can affect the menstrual cycle. Especially for those who get treatment to stop hormone production, they will experience menopause.

In addition to affecting menstruation, hormone therapy can also cause side effects, such as vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation, facial heat, nausea, fatigue, and muscle pain and joints.

Therefore, before hormone therapy for breast cancer, discuss in depth with your doctor. Make sure you really understand how hormone therapy works and the effects it might cause. So that this treatment can run effectively and efficiently.

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