Hormonal therapy is an effective treatment option for certain types of cancer. Some cancer cells require hormones for growth and division. Hormonal therapy aims to reduce the availability of hormones to cancer cells, thereby arresting their growth and division. It can be done by removing the hormone-producing organ through surgery, reducing the secretion, or interfering with the receptors.
Various types of cancer that can be treated with hormonal therapy include prostate, breast, endometrial, and adrenal cancers.
The side effects of hormonal therapy are reduced sexual desire, infertility, hot flashes, weight gain, weak bones, memory problems, and fatigue in men. In women, the side effects of hormonal therapy are nausea, hot flashes, reduced sexual desire, vaginal discharge, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue.