Nerve sparing radical prostatectomy

State-of-the-art external beam radiotherapy

Seed Brachytherapy

Patient Information For High Dose Rate Hdr Prostate Brachytherapy

Hormonal therapy

Prostatic cryotherapy

Systemic chemotherapy

Radioactive intravenous Strontium

Access to state-of-the-art clinical trial

Patient Information for Radiotherapy

Targeted Alpha Therapy

Pain relief for metastatic bone disease

Hormone Therapy treats prostate cancer by depriving the body of the male sex hormone – testosterone. It is generally used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the prostate or used prior to other treatment.

Hormone treatment can slow the cancer's growth and reduce the size of the tumour. This can lessen some of the symptoms of the disease and make the tumour more responsive to other treatments.

There are two ways to lower the amount of testosterone in the body: Surgery and drug therapy.

The majority of the hormone is produced in the testicles and by removing the testicles deprives the body of testosterone. Surgery is considered a low risk outpatient procedure but can be difficult for some men to come to terms with.
Drug therapy is just as effective as surgery in lowering the testosterone. They work by either preventing the production of testosterone or by blocking the action of the hormone. This however creates a loss of sexual drive, creates hot flushes and there is some risk of cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis.

For more information on Androgen Deprivation Therapy and it’s potential side effects go to the cancer institute site http://www.treatment.cancerinstitute.org.au and once logged in search for prostate cancer and click on to Androgen deprivation therapy.

What is hormonal therapy and how is it used?