This is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medicines listed below. Only the most basic problems are listed. Ask your doctor if there are any other steps you need to take. Use each of them as your doctor tells you. If you have any questions or can’t follow the package instructions, call your doctor.
Hormonal therapies are used to treat prostate cancer. For cancer that's spread to the bones, others may be needed.
Luteinizing Hormone-releasing Hormone (LHRH) Analogs
Prostate cells need androgens to grow and work the way they're supposed to. The aim is to lower these amounts in your body. This is done to keep the prostate cells from being stimulated to grow. The best way to do this is by removing the testicles (orchiectomy). This can be done with surgery, but it can't be reversed.
In most cases, hormonal therapies are combined. The types are:
These will lower the amount of testosterone made by the testicles. These are given as a shot every few months.
Some problems are:
These will keep your body from using androgens.
Some problems are:
Ketoconazole
This medicine blocks androgens from being made. It's mainly used when other medicines aren't working.
Some problems are:
This will block an enzyme needed to make testosterone in the organs where it's made.
Some problems are:
Prostate cancer usually spreads to the bones. This can cause pain, weakened bones, and a higher risk of broken bones. Bisphosphonates are used to slow bone loss, raise bone density, and lower the risk of broken bones. Most of these are taken as a pill.
Some problems are:
Denosumab boosts the body's immune system. It blocks the development of cells that break down bone tissue. It is given as a shot every 4 weeks.
Possible side effects include:
If you are taking medicines:
Denosumab. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/drug-monograph/denosumab. Accessed October 3, 2020.
Management of bone metastases of prostate cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-bone-metastases-of-prostate-cancer. Accessed October 3, 2020.
Preventing and treating prostate cancer spread to bones. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/treating-pain.html. Accessed October 3, 2020.
Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/patient/prostate-treatment-pdq#section/_142. Accessed October 3, 2020.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP