Hormone therapy for ovarian cancer

Hormone therapy is sometimes used to treat ovarian cancer. It is a treatment that adds, blocks or removes hormones. Hormones are substances that control some body functions, including how cells act and grow. Changing the levels of hormones or blocking certain hormones can slow the growth and spread of ovarian cancer cells. Drugs, surgery or radiation therapy can be used to change hormone levels or block their effects.

You may have hormone therapy to:

• treat some types of ovarian cancer when they are advanced or have recurred
• control cancer cells left behind after surgery (if you cannot have chemotherapy for some reason)

Your healthcare team will consider your personal needs to plan your hormone therapy. You may also receive other treatments.

The following are hormone therapies used to treat ovarian cancer.

Anti-estrogens block estrogen from getting to the cancer cell. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen that is used to treat ovarian cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors are drugs that block an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase turns other hormones into estrogen in those who have gone through menopause (post-menopausal). Aromatase inhibitors lower the level of estrogen after menopause and include:

• letrozole (Femara)
• anastrozole (Arimidex)
• exemestane (Aromasin)

Side effects can happen with any type of treatment for ovarian cancer, but everyone’s experience is different. Some people have many side effects. Others have few or none at all.

If you develop side effects, they can happen any time during, immediately after or a few days or weeks after hormone therapy. Sometimes late side effects develop months or years after hormone therapy. Most side effects go away on their own or can be treated, but some side effects may last a long time or become permanent.

Side effects of hormone therapy will depend mainly on the type of hormone therapy, the dose of a drug or combination of drugs, and your overall health. Some common side effects of hormone therapy for ovarian cancer are:

• nausea and vomiting
• weight gain
• treatment-induced menopause
• joint and muscle pain
• hot flashes
• weakened and thinning bones (osteoporosis)

Tell your healthcare team if you have these side effects or others you think might be from hormone therapy. The sooner you tell them of any problems, the sooner they can suggest ways to help you deal with them.

Details on specific drugs change regularly. Find out more about sources of drug information and where to get details on specific drugs.

Find out more about hormonal therapy and side effects of hormonal therapy. To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about hormonal therapy.