Steroid Hormone-dependent Cancers

Steroid hormone-dependent cancers refer to cancers which require the presence of steroid hormones for growth and are thus associated with hormone levels in the body. These hormones are primarily produced by the gonads, adrenal glands and placenta in humans. The most common steroid hormone-dependent cancers are prostate, breast, ovarian, and testicular cancer, with others including endometrial, penile, and vulvar cancer. These cancers are typically treated with hormone therapy, which aims to reduce the amount of steroid hormones present in the body, thereby stopping the cancer cells from growing. This type of therapy is particularly important in cases where other treatments do not work, or in cases where the cancer is hormone-dependent. Recent advances in research have helped to understand the role of steroid hormones in cancer and have resulted in more targeted treatments.