Hormone therapy for breast cancer
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Hormone therapy for breast cancer
Hormone therapy is used to change the way hormones stimulate cancer growth. These medicines either block the effects hormones have on the cancer cells or block the production of the hormones.
If tests show that the breast cancer cells have estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER/PR-positive), hormone therapy may be used. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are the most commonly used hormonal therapies. Other hormonal therapies include progestins, such as megestrol (Megace), and antiestrogen, such as fulvestrant.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Cynthia Tank |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
| Last Updated | August 31, 2007 |
| Last updated: | August 31, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology |
| Editors: | Cynthia Tank, Pat Truman, MATC |
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