Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can stop cancer cells from growing. The male hormone, testosterone, is usually necessary for prostate cancer to grow. Depriving prostate cancer cells of testosterone can stop their growth for a period of time.

Prostate cancer hormone therapy medications include:

• Leuprolide (Lupron)
• Goserelin (Zoladex)
• Abarelix (Plenaxis)
• Reduces the amount of testosterone that is produced by the body.
• Bicalutamide (Casodex)
• Nilutamide (Nilandron)
• Finasteride (Proscar)

Complications of hormone therapy include:

• Loss of libido
• Impotence
• Hot flashes
• Breast enlargement:
• Gynecomastia
• Nausea
• Vomiting