This treatment is used for hormone-sensitive tumors, such as prostate, breast and endometrial cancer. Hormonotherapy is an anti-cancer treatment that inhibits the secretion of hormones or prevents their action, thus hindering the growth of cancer cells. Hormones are chemicals that are produced by the body’s endocrine glands, they enter the bloodstream and from there reach every organ and tissue in order to do their job.

For example testosterone, which is a hormone, is produced by the testicles and thus “defines” male characteristics such as genital enlargement, deep voice and increased hair growth. The use of hormone therapy to treat cancer is based on the understanding that on the surface of some cancer cells there are receptors for specific hormones, which are necessary for their growth.

Tumors that depend on hormones for their growth are called hormone-dependent.