Following your recent consultation, your consultant oncologist has recommended hormone treatment for your prostate cancer. This information aims to explain how hormone treatments work in treating prostate cancer.

What is hormone treatment?

Zoladex or Prostap are the hormone treatments used. These drugs are given to stop the release of a hormone that stimulates the production of testosterone from the testicles. Prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow so by stopping its production we can slow down the growth of the cancer cells.

How is it given?

This drug is usually given in the form of a one monthly or three monthly injection under the skin. The treatment is usually started in the hospital by your consultant and then continues with your own doctor. You will be given a prescription for Cyproterone acetate tablets (CPA) and Zoladex or Prostap injection. The CPA tablets are to be taken one week prior to your first hormone injection and for two weeks thereafter. You must complete the course of CPA and they do not need to be continued by your GP.

Your first hormone injection will usually be given to you by the nurse practitioner in clinic. It is given in the form of an injection that lasts for four weeks. After this your GP or practice nurse will give your injections once every 12 weeks until your consultant advises otherwise.

Side effects vary. You may not experience them all. If you develop any problems we can discuss treatment when you attend your appointments. The most common side effects include:

• Impotence and lack of sexual desire
• Hot flushes
• Mild weight gain around the abdomen
• Weight loss on the arms and legs
• Lethargy and lack of energy
• Changes in appetite
• Mood swings
• Swelling and discomfort around the breast area.

Everyone is different and your doctor or specialist nurse will be happy to discuss, and help to manage, any of these problems.

In order to monitor your symptoms and your treatment you will be reviewed regularly by your specialist team. This will either be at your urologist’s clinic or the oncology clinic at the Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment.

During this appointment your Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test will be taken to assess your response to treatment. Your prostate may also be examined but not at each visit. At the clinic you will have the opportunity to discuss your disease and the treatment you are receiving. You will also have the opportunity to discuss any concerns or worries you may have about your treatment.

This information is a guide to explain your treatment and is not intended to replace the information given to you by your consultant or specialist nurse. It contains a lot of information so if you have further questions regarding your treatment please contact your specialist nurse on the numbers below.

Sarah Rushbrooke and Karen Hertwick
Uro Oncology Nurse Practitioners
Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment
Newcastle General Hospital

Telephone:   (0191) 256 3585 (answer machine) or
                        (0191) 233 6161 ask for bleep 1774

(Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)

Other useful sources of Information

Miss V Lockey
Information Centre Manager
Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment
Newcastle General Hospital
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 6BE

Telephone:  (0191) 256 3596

The Northern Cancer Network has an information website  Northern Cancer Network

CancerBACUP. A registered charity providing information and support for cancer patients and their families
Telephone: 0808 800 1234
CancerBACUP