Hormonal therapy is pharmacological method of tumours treatment. However as opposed to chemotherapy, it is low-toxic and gives less undesirable effects.

Hormonotherapy plays significant role in treatment of so called hormone-dependent tumours. Some tumours present dependence from hormonal­ changes in organism – in dependence from the level of hormones they may grow or develop slower. It concerns especially tumours of breast, prostate, thyroid gland, ovary and body of the uterus.

Hormones act on target cells; all human cells have on their surface “receivers" (receptors) to receive signals (most of all concerning growth), passed by hormones circulating together with blood. Receptors catch and bind specifically proper hormones, either causing activation of receptors (agonists) or blocking their action (antagonists). Administration of proper hormones in proper moment prevents (or weakens) the division of neoplastic cells. So then hormones stimulate activity (division) of cells, and drugs similar to hormones, but not stimulating neoplastic cells will have therapeutic effect.

In the past the hormonotherapy was mainly used in palliative treatment; presently hormones are administered also in early stages of the disease. Research over influence of hormones on some tumours are still in progress and this method finds wider and wider use – in treatment of tumours of gastrointestinal track, of lungs, melanoma. Presently the hormonotherapy is sometimes independent method of treatment of early stages of tumours of body of the uterus, in other cases is often combined with chemotherapy. Hormonal treatment (precisely treatment with steroids) may have also supporting character that is alleviate ailments caused by neoplastic disease – inflammatory state, swelling and pain.

Course of hormonotherapy

Hormonal treatment may have two forms.

Ablation therapy depends on excision of organ producing hormones, which favour development of tumour. Such organ (pituitary gland, suprarenal glands, ovaries, testicles) is removed with the help of surgical procedure or radiotherapy - the process is irrevocable. However more and more frequently so called pharmacological castration is used, in which work of specific organ is blocked with drugs, what is a reversible process – after the therapy function of specific organ returns.

Additive therapy depends on administration of hormones, which suppress production of other hormones in organism (i.e.: antiestrogen Tamoxifen, blocking action of estrogens, given in therapy of breast cancer).

Side effects

Side effects of hormonotherapy are milder than chemotherapy. They depend on type of given drugs. They can be i.e.: venous thrombosis disease, nausea and vomiting, vertigo, hot flushes and excessive perspiration, drowsiness, disturbances of libido. Majority of symptoms resolves completely after the therapy.

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