Hormone therapy
You might have hormone therapy for advanced womb cancer.
Hormones are substances that occur naturally in the body. They control the growth and activity of our cells. The female sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, can affect growth of the cells in the womb lining.
Progesterone
Progesterone treatment works by interfering with the hormone balance in the body. This means there are smaller amounts of hormones that some cancers depend on to grow. It can also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on the cancer to stop it growing.
Doctors use progesterone mainly to treat stage 3 and 4 womb cancers. The most commonly used types of progesterone are called medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) and megestrol (Megace). You take these as tablets. If you have bad side effects or progesterone stops working your doctor may suggest a different type of hormone treatment such as letrozole. It works in a different way and the possible side effects are different.
You might have hormone therapy if you are not well enough to have surgery or radiotherapy.
Hormone therapy for endometrial stromal sarcoma
For a type of womb cancer called endometrial stromal sarcoma, hormonal treatments can work well.
These include:
- letrozole (Femara)
- megestrol acetate (Megace)
- medroxyprogesterone (Provera)
Possible side effects of hormonal therapy
The main side effects associated with hormone therapy for womb cancer are:
- water retention
- weight gain (caused by water retention)
- breast discomfort
- tiredness
- feeling sick
- loss of desire for sex
Most people only have one or two of these side effects. If you have side effects, tell your nurse or doctor. They might be able to help.