May 20, 2013 The goal of hormone therapy is to prevent estrogen
from stimulating breast cancer cells. It is recommended for
women whose breast cancers are hormone-receptor positive (either
estrogen or progesterone), regardless of the size of the tumor
and whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes. Like
chemotherapy, hormone therapy works systemically. Hormone
therapy works by blocking estrogen that causes cell
proliferation. It is used only for patients with hormone
receptor-positive ("hormone sensitive") tumors. Different types
of hormone therapy work in different ways by: - Blocking
estrogen receptors in cancer cells (Tamoxifen) - Suppressing
estrogen production in the body (Aromatase inhibitors) -
Destroying ovaries, which produce estrogen (Ovarian ablation)
Tamoxifen was the first widely used hormonal therapy drug, but
today it is mainly used as adjuvant therapy for premenopausal
women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Postmenopausal women
are now generally prescribed aromatase inhibitors. Tamox