How the Addition of Hormones Improves Outcome: Hormone Therapy Alone in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

Hormone treatment alone is generally used to treat advanced disease but has recently been used to treat the lower stages of the disease. The American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, French Urological Association and National Comprehensive Cancer Network have all produced guidelines on the use of hormone therapy in prostate cancer. Studies have shown survival benefits of early versus delayed treatment. The relative merits of monotherapy or maximal androgen blockade are still the subject of debate. The use of intermittent hormonal therapy is increasing but, despite theoretical advantages in terms of patient quality of life, clinical studies have yet to prove superiority over continuous therapy.