Hormone Injection For Prostate Cancer

Prostate cells require male hormones testosterone, called Androgens, to develop and function normally. The objective of Hormone Injection is to minimise the amount of male hormones in the body so that prostate cells are not caused to grow. So lowering the amount of testosterone in the body can reduce the chance of an early prostate cancer coming back after treatment. Or it can shrink an advanced prostate tumour down or slow its growth.

Hormone injection therapy depends on the grade and stage of your cancer. Doctor may suggest hormone treatment alone if your cancer has spread to another part of the body. Or they may suggest it if the cancer has grown too far around the prostate for successful treatment with surgery or radiotherapy. It may also be use before radiation to try to shrink the cancer to make treatment more effective.

Hormone injection medicines reduces the production of the male hormone, testosterone, from the testicles. These medicines are given by injection into a muscle every few months.

Possible side effects include:
1. Impotence
2. Hot flashes
3. Loss of sexual desire
4. Osteoporosis
5. Fatigue
6. Weight gain
7. Strength and muscle loss
8. Breast swelling and tenderness
9. Loss of body hair
10. Bone thinning
11. Memory and concentration problems
12. Changes to your mood.
13. Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes

The side effects are caused by lowered testosterone levels. They usually last for as long as you’re on hormone injection therapy. If you stop your hormone injection therapy, your testosterone levels will gradually rise and the side effects should improve. But this might take several months

Hormone injection may control the cancer for a few years then the cancer usually will stops responding to the hormone injection treatment and starts to grow again.