What Are the Effects of a Hormonal Shot for Prostate Cancer?

The hormonal shot, which is the most common form of hormone therapy, is used to stop or delay the growth of cancer cells in the prostate. Although it does not cure cancer, hormonal shots have been an effective method of treatment for prostate cancer.

Function

• Hormonal shots block the production of the androgen hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which facilitate the growth of prostate cancer cells. As a result, prostate cancer cells are deprived of their "food" source, which stops their growth.

Significance

• Hormonal shots are used to treat advanced cases of prostate cancer, although it may be used before surgery or radiation therapy to shrink cancer tissue. It is effective in treating 85 to 90 percent of patients.

Types

• There are two types of hormonal shots: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs, which decrease testosterone levels, and LHRH antagonists, which reduce testosterone levels much more rapidly than LHRH analogs.

Benefits

• The hormonal shot is a non-invasive treatment method that accomplishes the same goals as the more invasive methods of surgery and radiation therapy.

Side Effects

• The side effects of hormonal shots may include hot flashes, osteoporosis, decreased mental acuity, impotence, gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) and mood swings.