How does prostate medication compare to other treatments for prostate cancer?

Each prostate cancer treatment tries to attack the problem in different ways. With surgery, the goal is to remove the cancer cells from the affected area. With radiation therapy, the goal is to kill the cancer cells. And, with certain prostate medications, the goal is to block cancer cells from getting a hormone called DHT (or dihydrotestosterone). DHT is produced in the prostate, and cancer cells need it in order to grow and spread. When prostate medication can successfully block DHT from reaching the cancer cells, the prostate cancer stops growing, and may even begin to shrink.

Hormonal therapy of this kind rarely actually cures the prostate cancer. However, by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells, prostate medication can help other treatments to be even more effective. In men who are about to, or already have, undergone prostate cancer surgery or radiation therapy, prostate medication can help keep the cancer from returning.

There are many different kinds of prostate medications used in hormonal therapy.

Testosterone, which is produced by the testicles, stimulates the production of DHT by the prostate. A group of medications called antiandrogens directly block the actions of testosterone and DHT inside the prostate cancer cells. Some common antiandrogens include cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide, flutamide, and nilutamide,

Adrenal androgens also stimulate the production of DHT. Fortunately, there are prostate medications, like aminoglutethimide and ketoconazole, that help block the production of these hormones.

Luteinizing hormone (or LH) stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone, which in turn stimulates the prostate to produce DHT. GnRH antagonists, like abarelix and degarelix, are prostate medications that suppress the production of LH directly.

GnRH agonists, on the other hand, are prostate medications that actually increase LH, at least for a while. But, after a few weeks taking being given GnRH agonists like buserelin, euprolide, goserelin, and triptorelin, production of LH does begin to decrease.

GnRH agonists are among the most successful hormonal treatments. This type of prostate medication can get pricey. It can also cause certain side effects, like loss of libido, impotence, weight gain, hot flashes, and osteoporosis. However, despite the drawbacks, its effectiveness in the treatment of prostate cancer can’t be ignored.

There are many treatments that can help in the fight against prostate cancer. And hormonal therapy by way of these prostate medications has helped countless patients successfully fight and recover from prostate cancer.