When is Hormone Therapy Recommended?

• Breast Cancer – especially hormone receptor-positive (ER/PR-positive) tumors.

• Prostate Cancer – to reduce testosterone levels that feed tumor growth.

• Thyroid Cancer – in some cases, to suppress thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

• Endometrial or Ovarian Cancer – in selected hormone-driven cases.

• Adjuvant therapy – after surgery/radiation to prevent recurrence.

• Palliative care – to control cancer in advanced stages.

Types of Hormone Therapy

• Breast Cancer:

  • Tamoxifen (selective estrogen receptor modulator)

  • Aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane)

  • Ovarian suppression (surgery or LHRH agonists)

• Prostate Cancer:

  • Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) using LHRH agonists or antagonists

  • Anti-androgens (Bicalutamide, Enzalutamide, Apalutamide)

  • Orchiectomy (surgical removal of testicles, rarely used now)

Benefits of Hormone Therapy

• Non-invasive (mostly oral pills or injections).

• Effective in slowing cancer growth and reducing recurrence risk.

• Can shrink tumors before surgery or radiation.

• Useful in both early-stage and advanced cancer.

Risks and Side Effects

Side effects vary depending on whether estrogen or testosterone is being blocked:

• Breast Cancer (estrogen-blocking): Hot flashes, weight gain, bone thinning, joint pain, risk of blood clots.

• Prostate Cancer (testosterone-blocking): Hot flashes, fatigue, loss of libido, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, metabolic changes.

Cost of Hormone Therapy in India

Costs vary depending on the drug prescribed, duration of therapy (often years), and whether generic versions are available.

Table 1: Average Hormone Therapy Cost in India

Factors Affecting Hormone Therapy Cost

1. Type of cancer and stage – long-term therapy is needed for many breast and prostate cancer patients.

2. Choice of drug – generics are more affordable than patented drugs.

3. Treatment duration – may continue for 5–10 years in breast cancer, lifelong in prostate cancer.

4. Hospital and city – consultation and administration costs vary across centers.

5. Combination therapy – often given alongside surgery, radiation, or targeted therapy, increasing total expense.