Hormone Therapy Vs Chemotherapy

Hormone therapy, also known as hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy, is a treatment method that targets hormone-sensitive cancers, primarily breast and prostate cancers. This approach involves the use of medications to either lower hormone levels in the body or block hormones from supporting the growth of cancer cells. By interfering with the hormonal environment that cancer cells depend on for growth, hormone therapy can help slow the progression of the disease, reduce the risk of recurrence, and improve overall survival rates. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation.

Chemotherapy is a systemic cancer treatment that utilizes powerful drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells throughout the body. Unlike localized treatments such as surgery or radiation, chemotherapy affects the entire organism by targeting not only cancer cells but also some healthy cells that divide quickly, leading to side effects like nausea, hair loss, and fatigue. Chemotherapy can be administered in various ways, including intravenously or orally, and is often used as a primary treatment for aggressive cancers or as an adjuvant therapy following surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. The treatment regimen may involve multiple cycles, tailored to the specific type of cancer and the patient’s overall health.