Estrogen and progesterone hormone can stimulate cell growth turned out to be breast cancer. Not only that, bot of these hormone can even help tumor cells grow and spread. As a result, the tumor can also form in other parts of the body. The majority of breast cancer sufferer have estrogen receptor positive cancer cells, referred to as ER-positive (estrogen receptor-positive). While sufferers of breast cancer in which the cancer cells to respond against the hormone progesterone is referred to as PR-positive (progesterone receptor-positive). In some cases, a breast cancer survivor can have both of these receptors.
When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, the doctor will do tests to find out the causes of the incidence of the cancer cells. If from the hormones, the doctor will likely recommend hormone therapy as one of the treatment solution. Hormone therapy or also known as endocrine therapy, able to block, impede, or removes hormones cause breast cancer.
There are at least two types of hormone therapy which is commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, namely:
- Drugs that make the hormones estrogen and progesterone to stop helping the growth of breast cancer cells, and
- Medications or surgery to stop the ovaries produce hormones.
And drugs are:
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
SERMs is a treatment to prevent breast cancer cells absorb estrogen. SERMS medications most commonly used include:
- Tamoxifen, works by stopping the hormone estrogen that binds cells. Its purpose, so that the cancer does not grow and divide. According to the study, taking tamoxifen for 5 to 10 yeasr of age can prolong life. Breast cancer is also likely will not relapse again.
- Toremifene, recommended for patients already taking Tamoxipen, however the results are not satisfactory. This type of drugs is only approved to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Fulvestrant, usually used to treat advanced breast cancer.
Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs)
This medication is used to prevent the fatty tissues in producing estrogen but not prevent the production of estrogen from the ovaries. AIs only effective applied to women with postmenopausal breast cancer staging anything. According to the study, AIs combined with ovarian suppression therapy is more effective than Tamoxifen to prevent a recurrence of the cancer so this medicine is now considered standard therapy.
Ovarian Ablation
This type of hormone therapy may be an option for women who have not experienced menopause. Ovarian ablation done by lift or shut down the ovaries. Purpose is to make estrogen production stops. Unfortunately, once the hormone estrogen in the body isn't there it means patients will be entering menopause.
Just like other treatment, hormone therapy also have side effects that may be experienced by patients such as vaginal discharge, vaginal irritation or dry, warm face, nausea, fatigue, pain in muscles and joints, and impotence in men.
If you want to use hormone therapy to treat breast cancer suffered, this therapy is noteworthy not necessarily suitable for all people. Hormone therapy is only applicable to treat breast cancer that is caused by the type of cancer cells that have receptors positively against hormones.
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