Ovarian Cancer Hormone Therapy Treatments
Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries. If it goes undetected for a long time, it can spread to the pelvic region and abdomen. Common symptoms of this type of cancer include pain in the pelvic region, abdominal swelling, weight loss, and change in bowel movements. The treatments for ovarian cancer include surgery, chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy, uses hormone-blocking drugs to fight cancer cells. This form of treatment can be used to treat ovarian stromal tumors and epithelial ovarian cancer. The drugs can be administered intravenously into the bloodstream or given orally to the patient. Let’s look at the common types of hormone therapy used for ovarian cancer treatment: 1. Aromatase inhibitors Aromatase inhibitors are drugs that block the enzyme known as aromatase from converting other hormones into estrogen in women who have gone through menopause. These inhibitors do not stop the female reproductive system from making estrogen completely but rather function to lower estrogen levels. Aromatase inhibitors are commonly used to treat ovarian stromal tumors, some forms of carcinomas, and breast cancers. These drugs are taken orally. However, there may be certain side effects such as hot flashes and bone pain and thinning.