Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy – LHRH Antagonist. Because the growth of prostate cancer is fueled by the male sex hormone testosterone, doctors can use chemical castration to ablate 90 to 95 percent of the body’s supply. Chemical castration interferes with signals in the brain that tell the testicles to start testosterone production. The hypothalamus in the brain first detects that levels of testosterone are dropping and releases luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) also called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
LHRH or GnRH act as a messenger and fill in receptors of the pituitary gland to report the lowering levels of testosterone. The pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormones (LH) that travel to the testicles. An antagonist inhibits the action of a cell by filling in receptors. A LHRH or GnRH antagonist mimics the shape of normal LHRH then fills in the receptors on the pituitary gland. Not receiving the message from the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland does not release LH. Fareston® May Decrease Side Effects of Androgen Deprivation Therapy. Prostate Cancer Info : education, support, male hormone therapy, PSA tests, antiandrogens.
Androgen deprivation therapy may increase risk of death from heart disease in older men. The study results were based on data from CaPSURE, a national registry of men with prostate cancer. Although the findings need to be confirmed in clinical trials, the study authors state that oncologists should weigh the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT, against the risk of heart problems in older prostate cancer patients. The researchers will present their study at the Prostate Cancer Symposium in Orlando, Fla., 1:30 pm on Saturday, Feb. 24. The symposium is sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology and the Society of Urologic Oncology. "Although our findings demonstrated that older men receiving this treatment may be at increased risk, even after taking into account other cardiovascular risk factors, a prospective clinical trial would be needed to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship.
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