Medical Castration

Medical castration is also known as chemical castration or androgen deprivation therapy. This treatment is carried out to reduce testosterone levels in males who have been diagnosed with cancer. In this process, medications are used to suppress the formation of testosterone in the testicles. Testosterone is a male sexual hormone which is responsible for the development and function of male reproductive organs. In addition, testosterone also promotes the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers such as prostate cancer. Through medical castration, specialists try to slow or stop the production of cancer cells in the body by lowering levels of male hormones or androgens. As a result, it becomes feasible to control cancer growth.

Medical castration has the same effect on the body as the removal of the testicles. The only difference between the two procedures is that chemical castration is a temporary procedure and can be reversed as needed. Even though chemical castration is a very successful procedure, it does have some side effects such as loss of libido, hot flashes and shrinking of the testicles. Once the treatment is stopped, the production of androgen resumes to normal. However, osteoporosis has been reported to be a long-term concern. 

Why medical castration?

Medical castration aims at lowering levels of male hormones, as already established. But which male hormones do medical castration target? The main hormones in males are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, made in the testicles and to some extent in the adrenal glands. Luteinizing hormone, produced in the pituitary gland is a signalling hormone which moderates the production of testosterone. 

Castration is of two types, one is medical castration and the other is surgical castration. While surgical castration involves the removal of the testicles entirely, medical castration offers the following benefits:

• Minimal invasion: Medical castration is a minimally invasive procedure in which doctors only inject medications to lower testosterone levels and control the growth of cancer cells. 
• Reversibility: Chemical castration is a reversible procedure. Once we stop the administration of medications the level of testosterone production resumes as before.
• Outpatient Treatment: Medical castration is an outpatient procedure which means that patients undergoing this procedure do not need hospitalisation. Medicines used in this procedure are either injected or implanted in the body. 

However, before you undergo this treatment it is advisable to consider its potential risks and benefits with your doctor to determine if it is the right treatment for you. 

What are the diseases treated through medical castration?

Chemical castration is majorly used to treat prostate cancer, specifically in cases where the cancer has been diagnosed to be hormone-sensitive. It is the first line of treatment in cases with recurrent prostate cancer. This therapy aids in shrinking the existing tumours, delays or prevents their growth, or even improves symptoms in patients who are in advanced stages of prostate cancer. This therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies such as breast cancer in men or advanced testicular cancers. 

Who are the ideal candidates for this procedure?

Medical castration is used to stop the production or lower the levels of sex hormones. The ideal candidates for medical castration are those who tick positive for the following:

• Have been diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Have had a recurrent prostate cancer diagnosis
• Have been diagnosed with breast cancer in males
• Have been diagnosed with hormone-sensitive cancer

Expertise of Action Cancer Hospital in Medical Castration

At Action Cancer Hospital, we provide you with comprehensive care and guidance throughout the process of medical castration and help you win the battle against cancer. Our team of urological oncologists have extensive experience in effectively implementing medical castration for patients with prostate cancer. Our hospital offers a variety of methods to suppress testosterone levels, which include: 

• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists: These medications temporarily stop the testicles from producing testosterone.
• GnRH antagonists: These medications work similarly to GnRH agonists but provide a faster reduction in testosterone levels.
• Anti-androgen medications: These medications block the effects of testosterone on cancer cells.

Here are some reasons why you should choose Action Cancer Hospital for your treatment of cancer:

• Personalised Care: We work closely with each patient to determine the most appropriate form of medical castration based on their individual needs and preferences.
• Experienced Team: Our urological oncologists are highly skilled and stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in medical castration techniques.
• Comprehensive Support: We offer a comprehensive support system, including nurse navigators and counsellors, to guide you through every step of the treatment process.