Endocrine Singapore: What Are Examples Of Endocrine Therapy?
Endocrine therapy is a targeted treatment for managing hormone-related cancers. It works by hindering hormone production or blocking hormone receptors and is commonly used for breast and prostate cancers.
This therapy prevents hormones from fueling tumor growth, to reduce cancer progression. Endocrine specialists, also known as endocrinologists are the doctors you will want to see for endocrine in Singapore.
Drawing from their knowledge of the endocrine system, these specialists can tailor treatments based on your health needs. Learn more on this page: https://acesurgery.sg/.
Endocrinologists also guide patients through therapies to monitor effectiveness and manage any potential side effects. On this page, you will learn about the examples of therapies for endocrine in Singapore and when they may be warranted. Keep reading!
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What Are Examples Of Endocrine Therapy?
Endocrine therapy is typically administered after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and prevent the development of new tumors. As already explained, the goal of being given therapy for endocrine in Singapore is to obstruct hormone production or block hormone receptors to impede cancer growth.
There are several types of endocrine therapy. If you’re recommended a therapy for endocrine in Singapore, a good provider will see to it that the type of endocrine therapy you’re given is tailored to the specific cancer you’re dealing with. Here are some of the most notable examples of endocrine therapy:
Therapies for Breast Cancer:
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs): If you need help with breast cancer, SERMs may be given to help with the treatment. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are used to hinder estrogen activity, which is crucial for some breast cancers’ growth.
- Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs): Anastrozole, Exemestane, and Letrozole reduce estrogen production in postmenopausal women. The aim for use here is mainly to slow down cancer progression.
- Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LHRH) Agonists: Goserelin, Leuprolide, and Triptorelin suppress estrogen production. They’re particularly useful in premenopausal women.
- Estrogen Receptor Antagonists: Fulvestrant and Toremifene block estrogen receptors. This therapy is used to inhibit cancer cell growth.
- Oophorectomy: This is the surgical removal of ovaries. It may be recommended to diminish estrogen production. It is mainly preferred for patients who need help with hormone-sensitive breast cancers.
Therapies for Endometrial Cancer:
- Progestins: Medroxyprogesterone Acetate or Megestrol Acetate helps regulate hormone levels. They’re often used in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer cases.
- LHRH Agonists: Goserelin and Leuprolide lower estrogen levels. They can be used to improve the efficiency of endometrial cancer treatment.
- AIs: Letrozole, Anastrozole, and Exemestane inhibit estrogen production. They can be administered to disrupt cancer growth.
- SERMs: Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are sometimes used in endometrial cancer treatment.
Therapies for Prostate Cancer:
- CYP17 Inhibitors: Abiraterone and Ketoconazole impede testosterone production. Again, the focus with this action is to impede cancer progression.
- Orchiectomy (Surgical Castration): Just as it sounds, this is a surgical removal of the testicles. It is done to reduce testosterone levels and is often performed in advanced prostate cancer cases.
- LHRH Agonists and Antagonists: Goserelin, Leuprolide, Triptorelin, and Degarelix decrease testosterone levels. They’re preferred in prostate cancer treatment as testosterone is a primary factor in the growth of prostate cancer.
- Anti-androgens (Androgen Deprivation Therapy – ADT): Medications here include; Apalutamide, Enzalutamide, Darolutamide, Bicalutamide, Flutamide, and Nilutamide. This therapy is used to obstruct androgen receptors and disrupt cancer growth.
Therapies for Adrenal Cancer:
- Adrenolytics: Mitotane is used to target adrenal cancer cells. Adrenolytics are mostly preferred in advanced cases.
- SERMs: Tamoxifen and Raloxifene may have a role in treating adrenal cancer.
- Estrogen Receptor Antagonists: Fulvestrant and Toremifene are sometimes considered in adrenal cancer treatment.
Each type of endocrine therapy targets specific hormonal pathways crucial for cancer growth. If recommended any of these therapies, your endocrine specialist will closely monitor the therapy, to help you manage any potential side effects to optimize its efficacy and improve your treatment outcomes.
How Is Endocrine Therapy Done?
Several approaches can be used in administering endocrine therapy. Each preferred approach is carefully tailored to help in the disruption of hormone-related cancer growth. Here are three of the most notable ways in which endocrine therapy is done:
- Through injectable drugs: Medications can be administered intramuscularly (IM) where you can get them either on the arm, leg, or hip, or subcutaneously (SC) in the abdomen. Frequency varies per drug and cancer type. Patients can also be trained to self-administer or their caregivers trained to offer assistance.
- Oral medications: Just as it sounds, these are given orally. You may be prescribed pills, capsules, or liquid formulations which can be taken at home. The frequency of these medications is determined by the specific drug and cancer type. Precise adherence to dosage and administration guidelines is crucial. Additional precautions may be needed for certain medications.
- Surgical interventions: There are also surgical approaches that may be used as forms of hormone therapy. For instance, an orchiectomy which involves the surgical removal of the testicles (the primary source of testosterone), can benefit some men with prostate cancer. Similarly, an oophorectomy, eliminating the ovaries (the primary estrogen and progesterone source), may aid certain women with breast cancer.
Now, if you’re recommended a therapy for endocrine in Singapore, a fairly common question that may come into mind is: what are the side effects of endocrine therapy? Here’s what you need to know:
The side effects of endocrine therapy mirror those of hormone-reducing drugs, with potential benefits and drawbacks. Surgical options provide immediate hormone reduction without long-term medication.
However, their permanence means irreversibility once completed. Some of the potential side effects that your doctor may want you to understand before an endocrine therapy include: hot flashes, nausea, bone loss with an increased risk for fractures, and decreased sexual desire among others. These side effects will vary depending on the specific type of endocrine therapy you’re put on.
It Is A Wrap!
Endocrine therapies provide alternatives to traditional therapy and radiation. So, they’ve essentially revolutionized cancer treatment by helping manage hormone-sensitive cancers to not only improve the quality of life for patients but also increase survival rates.
To learn more about therapies for endocrine in Singapore, we invite you to schedule an appointment with endocrine specialists at the Ace Specialist Surgery and Endoscopy. To schedule the appointment you can get in touch with the facility at:
Ace Specialist Surgery and Endoscopy
Mt Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard)
3 Mount Elizabeth, #15-14
Singapore 228510
+656737 1800
