Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal Therapy

Hormonal therapy medications are systemic treatments specifically designed for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Hormone receptors, akin to "ears" on breast cells, respond to signals from hormones, triggering cell growth.

Hormonal therapy medications combat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers through two primary mechanisms:

- Reducing the levels of estrogen hormone in the body.
- Blocking the action of estrogen on breast cancer cells.

The majority of estrogen in women's bodies is produced by the ovaries, fueling the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers. Thus, diminishing estrogen levels or impeding its effects can mitigate the risk of recurrence in early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers following surgery. Additionally, hormonal therapy medications can be utilized to diminish or decelerate the progression of advanced-stage or metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.

It's crucial to note that hormonal therapy medications are ineffective against hormone-receptor-negative breast cancers.

Various types of hormonal therapy medications exist, including aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and estrogen receptor downregulators.

In certain cases, surgical removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes may be recommended to treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer or as a preventive measure for women with a high risk of breast cancer. Alternatively, medication can be used to temporarily deactivate the ovaries.

It's essential to differentiate between hormonal therapy and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Unlike hormonal therapy used for breast cancer treatment, HRT is not intended for this purpose. HRT is prescribed to alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings by replenishing declining estrogen levels post-menopause. HRT typically contains estrogen along with progesterone and other hormones, whereas hormonal therapy works oppositely by suppressing or reducing estrogen levels in the body..