Hormone-sensitive cancer

Hormone-sensitive cancer refers to certain types of cancer that are affected by the presence of hormones in the body. These cancers include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Overview

Hormone-sensitive cancers are those that have cells with specific proteins, known as hormone receptors, to which hormones can attach. When hormones attach to these receptors, they can stimulate the cancer cells to grow and multiply.

Types of Hormone-Sensitive Cancers

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of hormone-sensitive cancers. Many breast cancers are sensitive to the hormone estrogen. These are known as estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is another common type of hormone-sensitive cancer. Prostate cancer cells often have receptors for the hormone testosterone. Testosterone can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Ovarian Cancer

Some types of ovarian cancer are also hormone-sensitive. These cancers may have receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone.

Treatment

Treatment for hormone-sensitive cancers often involves hormone therapy. This can involve medications that block the body's ability to produce certain hormones, or that prevent the hormones from acting on the cancer cells.

See Also

• Hormone therapy
• Cancer
• Oncology

Hormone-sensitive cancer Resources
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