Hormone therapy is the primary treatment for prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland to distant sites, including lymph nodes , bone, and other organs. Testosterone is the major male hormone in the body. Testosterone also regulates the prostate gland. The testicles secrete between 90 to 95 percent of the body's testosterone. The remaining 5 to 10 percent is secreted by the adrenal glands , two small glands located on top of the kidneys.
Hormone therapy is used to control the growth of prostate cancer.
It is not a cure for prostate cancer. However, hormone therapy can shrink tumors and may stop or limit the spread of prostate cancer for many years. Appropriate Candidates for Hormone Therapy Men whose cancer has spread beyond the prostate gland, either locally or to distant sites. Men whose cancer has returned after radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy . Men who are candidates for radiation therapy or cryosurgery , but have large prostate glands.