Endocrine therapy, with its unique charm, plays a vital role
in the war of breast cancer. It is a friend of time, by regulating the balance of hormones in the body, delicately inhibit the pace of tumor growth, and bring long-term peace to patients. Now, let’s walk into the world of endocrine therapy and explore its mystery and warmth.
Hormones, the invisible battlefield
Breast cancer is not unique, and about 70% of cases are hormone-sensitive, especially estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive tumors, which depend on the supply of these two hormones to thrive. Endocrine therapy is directed at this key point, by cutting off the supply chain of hormones, or blocking the way hormones act, fundamentally weakening the viability of tumors.
II. Diversified Arsenal
The Arsenal of
endocrine therapy is rich and diverse, mainly divided into two categories:
Anti-estrogen drugs, such as tamoxifen, compete with estrogen at the receptor level, preventing the latter from entering the nucleus and promoting growth.
Ovarian function inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors: The former is mainly used in premenopausal women to temporarily close the ovaries through surgery or drugs to reduce the source of estrogen, while the latter specializes in postmenopausal women to block the path of androgen conversion into estrogen in order to achieve the purpose of reducing systemic estrogen levels.
3. Long-term partners
Compared
with other treatment methods, endocrine therapy tends to focus more on protracted warfare, with a course of five or even ten years. This is both an advantage and a test. Like a loyal companion, it has accompanied patients silently for a long time, guarding them from the threat of cancer recurrence.
Four, warm tips
In the course of endocrine therapy, side effects such as decreased bone mineral density and hot flashes may be encountered. Reasonable lifestyle adjustment, such as moderate exercise, calcium supplementation, and necessary drug intervention, can significantly improve the quality of life.
Regular review and close communication with doctors are the key to ensure the effect of endocrine therapy. Only in this way can treatment plan be adjusted in time to deal with possible hormone resistance.
Epilogue: The Gift
of Time
Endocrine therapy is a precious gift in the long journey against breast cancer. It teaches us to find a graceful way to fight, to live, even in the face of illness. Let us cherish this gift from time and science, hand in hand through every beautiful day, to meet their own spring blossoms.
