The body's oestrogen hormone aids in the growth of some breast cancers. What options are there for hormonal breast cancer treatment? Is it possible to stop the growth of this type of breast cancer?
Treatment for hormonal breast cancer and other details in the following article:
Hormonal breast cancer treatment
First and foremost, it's critical to understand that hormonal breast cancer is treatable, negating the need for worry and fear because hormonal therapy is only used for breast cancer that is hormone-sensitive. with progesterone or oestrogen, which promotes growth.
After breast surgery, hormonal breast cancer therapy is frequently used as an additional treatment to lower the likelihood of the cancer returning. Additionally, it can be used to reduce a tumour prior to surgery. This increases the possibility of removing the tumor completely.
Hormonal therapy is typically administered for at least 5 to 10 years, and it is ineffective in cases of estrogen-negative breast cancer.
Principle of action of different hormonal breast cancer treatment methods
There is always hope for recovery and a cure. The psychological state plays an important role in the treatment, as hormonal therapy relies on several strategies for the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer, as follows:
1. Obstruction of ovarian function
Before menopause, oestrogen is primarily produced by the ovaries, and it can be decreased by:
- Ovariectomy
The ovaries can be surgically or radiation-removed, and in both cases, the ovaries are gone for good.
- Suppression of the ovaries
As an alternative to oophorectomy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are employed.
Leuprolide and goserelin are examples of the drugs that interfere with the signals that stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen.
2. Blocking estrogen production
A class of medications known as aromatase inhibitors is used in menopausal women to help inhibit the aromatase enzyme, which the body uses to produce oestrogen in the ovaries and other tissues.
- Anastrozole .
- Letrozole.
- Exemestane.
3. Blocking the effects of estrogen
To counteract the effects of oestrogen, people use SERMs, or selective oestrogen receptor modulators.
These medications prevent oestrogen from binding to its receptors on cancer cells, preventing it from stimulating the growth of breast cancer cells, and they interfere with estrogen's ability to do so. Examples of these medications include:
- Tamoxifen .
- Toremifene.
- Fulvestrant .
Factors on which the choice of treatment method for hormonal breast cancer depends
The patient's decision regarding hormonal therapy is influenced by a number of variables, the most significant of which are:
- Menstrual interruption or non-interruption.
- risk of cancer returning
- Side effects of the drug
Side effects of hormonal therapy for breast cancer
The medication used to treat hormonal breast cancer has a significant impact on the side effects of hormone therapy.
Common side effects of all hormone therapy medications include:
- Hot flashes .
- overweight.
- night sweats
- Vaginal dryness .
- The menstrual cycle stops in women before menopause.
- Low sex drive.
- Joint pain and stiffness.
- Extreme tiredness.
These symptoms are comparable to those of menopause, but hormonal therapy makes them worse than menopause does.
Less common and more serious side effects may include:
- Blood clots in the veins.
- osteoporosis _
- eye lens darkening.
- heart disease.
Important information about hormonal breast cancer treatment
There is always hope for recovery from this particular type of breast cancer because it is curable. All hormonal breast cancer treatment drugs are available in the form of pills except for Fulvestrant, which is available in the form of a monthly intramuscular injection, and tamoxifen, which is available in the form of an oral liquid.
The pills are taken once a day, and doctors advise taking them at the same time every day to avoid forgetting them. Additionally, you can take them with or without food.