Endocrine Cancers

Researchers are still discovering what role hormones play in the development of certain cancers.  The hormones estrogen and progestin (a synthetic form of the female hormone progesterone), for example, can cause breast tissue to grow abnormally fast, which could play a role in developing breast cancer.  And research has shown prostate cancer to be a hormone-receptive cancer, one that can respond to a treatment method called androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which decreases testosterone production. Other endocrine cancers, such as thyroid cancer, may require hormone supplements to help maintain normal levels in the body after standard cancer treatment.

Standard treatments for thyroid cancer vary depending on the diagnosis. Surgery, however, is a common thyroid cancer treatment that requires doctors to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.  After surgery, doctors prescribe thyroid hormones to help regulate metabolism.. Depending on the type of thyroid cancer, treatment recommendations may vary.

Other cancer therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy may impact the endocrine system. Diseases such as prostate cancer that are treated by depriving the body of certain hormones may also cause additional problems. Bone loss, for example, is common in prostate cancer patients treated with ADT.

Learn more about the role hormones play in cancer treatments for thyroid, breast and prostate cancers by reading the fact sheets below.