What are the side effects of hormonal therapy?
The goal of hormonal therapy is to decrease or block the effect of testosterone, the male hormone which is known to feed the progression of prostate cancer. This can be achieved either surgically, by removing the part of the testicles responsible for producing the testosterone, or chemically, by the administration of injections and pills. The injections can be given every one, three or four months and the pills are taken on a daily basis. Side effects may include any of the following: hot flashes, sweating, decreased sexual desire, which in turn may cause erectile difficulties, enlargement and sensitivity of the breasts, and osteoporosis (the treatment causes a decrease in bone density, which leads to weaker bones and possible fractures).
