Androgens are vital to your prostate health
Prostate Cancer Medications Sale!
Find the best savings and discounts on all Prostate Cancer medication and drugs!
| Drug Name | Price | Purchase |
| Flomax CR 0.400 mg | $100.88* | Buy Now! |
| Proscar 5 mg | $138.25* | Buy Now! |
| Avodart 0.500 mg | $190.84* | Buy Now! |
| Tamsulosin 0.400 mg (Generic Flomax) |
$60.94* | Buy Now! |
| Finasteride 5 mg (Generic Proscar) |
$93.65* | Buy Now! |
| Dutasteride 0.500 mg (Generic Avodart) |
$118.63* | Buy Now! |
* All prices as per TheDrugCompany.com - 01/12/2009 - Prices subject to change
Call 1-888-254-3038 To Order Now! -or-
View all Prostate Cancer Medication >>
The prostate gland is naturally influenced by male sex hormones since it is part of the male sexual and reproductive systems. The male sex organs the testes produce the hormone testosterone which belongs to the class of male hormones known as androgens (or steroids). These hormones promote the development of male sexual characteristics (like facial hair and voice depth) and the male reproductive system. Androgens are of vital importance for the normal growth of the prostate.
However since testosterone spurs the growth of both normal prostate cells and prostate cancer cells higher levels have been linked to cancer of the prostate. In this case hormone therapy prostate cancer treatment (or androgen deprivation) may be used which will decrease the androgen (or testosterone) levels shrink the prostate cancer and/or cause it to grow more slowly.
Although hormone therapy will hinder cancer growth it will not cure cancer. However hormone therapy may relieve the symptoms of prostrate cancer some of which are painful burning urination blood in the urine and lower back pain. Typically hormone therapy will be used in the following cases: If surgery or radiation treatments are not options; if cancer has spread to other body organs or returned after earlier treatments; if radiation is used and there are higher risks of the cancer returning; and if radiation or surgery is needed and it is better if the cancer is first shrunk.
Sometimes though prostate cancer may grow resistant to hormone therapy. If this happens there are doctors who will use an intermittent therapy. In intermittent therapy the doctor will give the hormone drugs for a period of time then stop them and resume them again. However there is debate concerning whether or not this method is better than consistently taking the hormone drugs.
The prostate cancer patient can choose upon his doctor’s advice from several types of hormone therapies: Orchietomy (or castration) “which uses hormone therapy and also involves surgical removal of the testicles (over 90% of male hormones are produced here); luteinizing hormone-releasing analogs (LHRH analogs) “drugs which decrease the testosterone levels and are given as injections or small medicine pellets placed beneath the skin every month every 3 to 4 months or once yearly; LHRH antagonists “which are given as monthly injections and quickly lower the testosterone levels; and anti-androgens “drugs which prevent the body’s using any androgens after orchietomy or during LHRH treatments since adrenal glands still produce some androgens.
The advantages of hormone therapy are as follows: It can be stopped which allows the return of normal hormone production; it can temporarily slow the growth of prostate cancer plus shrink tumors reducing the cancer symptoms; and in some cases it can prolong life. The disadvantages of hormone therapy include: It has to be used with other forms of treatment since it will not cure cancer by itself; it can cause liver damage raise the risks of heart disease and diabetes; if orchietomy is involved the permanent removal of the testes can not be reversed; and it has the possible side effects of nausea fatigue breast enlargement loss of sex drive and osteoporosis.
Tip Of The Week: Before deciding on any hormone therapy the man with prostate cancer needs to carefully research the treatments which may fit his condition viewing each one as objectively as possible. He must consider the side effects some of which may include decreased sexual desire and impotence muscle mass loss thinning bones and weight gain. Since hormone therapy is used when other treatments may not be satisfactory it may be worth the possible side effects. However he should thoroughly discuss his options with the doctor and especially with his “significant other.” For whatever treatment he finally does settle on it will definitely affect the person closest to him.
Related Articles