Hormonal Therapy for Prostate Cancer


Hormonal therapy is often used in all phases of prostate cancer treatment to help block production or action of the male hormones that have been shown to fuel prostate cancer. Among widely used approved hormone blockers, often used in combination, are Lupron (leuprolide acetate), Casodex (bicalutamide), Eulexin (flutamide), Nilandron (nilutamide), and Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant). Because the testicles produce male hormones, some men also undergo testicle removal to cut off the hormone supply. Advanced prostate cancer patients are usually treated with chemotherapeutic drugs such as Novantrone (mitoxantrone), which do not cure the disease but often do ease pain and other symptoms.