EDUCATION

Hormones are chemical signals that help the body work well. They can also make some cancers grow faster and spread. These hormonal therapies are used to control severe uterine cancer.

  • Progestin—to block the action of estrogen
  • Tamoxifen—to block the action of estrogen
  • Aromatase inhibitors—to block the body from making estrogen
  • Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists—to lower estrogen levels by blocking the hormonal actions of the ovaries

Problems may be:

  • Night sweats
  • Hot flashes
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Fluid buildup
  • Hunger
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Depression
  • Bone thinning
  • Blood clots
REFERENCES:

Endometrial cancer. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. Available at: https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Endometrial-Cancer. Updated February 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.

Endometrial cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/endometrial-cancer. Updated October 21, 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.

Endometrial cancer. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/gynecologic-tumors/endometrial-cancer. Updated February 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.

Hormone therapy for endometrial cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/endometrial-cancer/treating/hormone-therapy.html. Updated March 27, 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.

Renaud MC, Le T, et al. Epidemiology and investigations for suspected endometrial cancer. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2018 Sep;40(9):e703.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/uterine/patient/endometrial-treatment-pdq#section/_131. Updated June 12, 2019. Accessed February 26, 2020.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Elliot M. Levine, MD, FACOG  Last Updated: 1/26/2021