What are the side effects of hormone therapy? | Hormone therapy for prostate cancer

What are the side effects of hormone therapy?

The side effects of hormone therapy for prostate cancer can be summarized under the term androgen deprivation syndrome. They can be explained by the lack of effect of testosterone. The side effects include Hot flushes and sweating Libido loss Erectile dysfunction Breast enlargement (gynecomastia) Weight gain Muscle loss Metabolic changes with a higher risk of diabetes mellitus and heart disease Anemia Osteoporosis with an increased risk of fracture Because of the wide range of side effects, the patient should be fully informed about these side effects before starting hormone therapy and informed about alternative treatment options.

  • Hot flushes and sweating
  • Libido loss
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Breast gland enlargement (gynecomastia)
  • Weight gain
  • Muscle loss
  • Metabolic changes with higher risk of diabetes mellitus and heart disease
  • Anemia
  • Osteoporosis with increased risk of fracture

Risk of colon cancer due to hormone therapy

A study published in 2010 showed that hormone therapy for prostate cancer increased the risk of colorectal cancer in 30-40% of patients examined. The study also showed that the longer hormone therapy was given, the higher the risk.

What success can be expected under hormone therapy?

If hormone therapy is used as a supplement to curative therapy for prostate cancer, the aim is to increase the effectiveness of the radiation. In the context of palliative therapy, the primary goal is to use hormone therapy to delay the progression of the disease and the growth of the tumor. Furthermore, hormone therapy can prevent complications and alleviate symptoms caused by metastases.

What are the costs of hormone therapy?

There is no concrete information on the costs of hormone therapy for prostate cancer. Whether the costs of such a therapy are covered by health insurance varies depending on the health insurance company.

What are the alternatives to hormone therapy?

An alternative to hormone therapy is the surgical removal of both testicles (castration). The operation also causes a reduced testosterone production, because the main site of testosterone production is removed. However, the removal of the testicles is only rarely performed.

In palliative therapy, the concept of “watchful waiting” is an alternative to hormone therapy. This means that the progression of the tumor is merely observed by regular check-ups until symptoms occur. These complaints are then treated purely symptomatically. The advantage of this therapy is that side effects of hormone therapy can be avoided, thus maintaining the quality of life in the best case. However, there may be misconceptions about the threat of cancer.