Hormone Therapy is the use of drugs, such as progesterone, that prevent cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they may need to grow. Hormone treatment is a systemic therapy. The drugs, which are usually taken by mouth, enter the bloodstream, travel through the body, and control cancer cells outside the uterus. Women who are unable to have surgery are sometimes treated with hormone therapy. Also, this form of treatment is often recommended for women who have metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer.
Hormone therapy can cause a number of side effects.
Women taking progesterone may experience fatigue and changes in appetite and weight, and they may retain fluid. Premenopausal women may have changes in their menstrual periods. Women may wish to discuss the side effects of hormone therapy with their doctor. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Anticancer drugs may be taken by mouth or given by injection into a blood vessel.