What Are The Side Effects Of Octreotide
Common side effects of octreotide include:
- Inflammation of the ascending bile duct
- Drop in blood pressure with standing up from sitting or lying down
- Reduced blood flow
- Inflammation of vein with blood clots
- Blood clot in the artery in the arm
- Bulge in blood vessel
- Abnormal breast milk secretion
- Iron deficiency
- Glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve
- Blind spot in vision
- Blood clot in the retina
- Language and communication difficulty
- Nerve inflammation
- Weakness and impaired movement on one side of the body
- Weakness in the entire body
- Increase in creatine phosphokinase levels in blood
- Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness
- Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady
- Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out or
- Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
What Is The Success Rate Of Hormone Therapy
The 6-year survival rate for HRT users was 92% compared with 80% for nonusers . Figure 3 shows survival curves for patients with tumors detected by palpation. The 6-year survival rate was 79% for HRT users compared with 76% for nonusers (P = .
What happens in hormone therapy?
During feminizing hormone therapy, youll be given medication to block the action of the hormone testosterone. Youll also be given the hormone estrogen to decrease testosterone production and induce feminine secondary sex characteristics. Changes caused by these medications can be temporary or permanent.
Joint And Muscle Pain
Joint pain and muscle pain are common side effects of aromatase inhibitors . The pain may be in the hands and wrists, feet and ankles, knees, back or other parts of the body. Joint and muscle pain are most common after youve been sleeping or inactive.
Almost half of women taking aromatase inhibitors have joint pain and about 15 percent have muscle pain .
Joint and muscle pain can mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. In rare cases, aromatase inhibitors can cause carpal tunnel syndrome .
Although aromatase inhibitors can cause joint and muscle pain, they dont cause permanent joint or muscle damage.
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What Questions To Ask Your Health Care Team
Here are some questions you might want to ask your doctor about hormone treatment for cancer:
What type of hormone therapy do I require and why?
How does this specific hormone therapy work?
Do I need any additional treatment apart from hormonal treatment?
When will I start my hormone therapy?
Will it be before, during, or after other cancer treatments?
Could my dose of hormone therapy alter over time?
What will be the possible side effects of hormone therapy for cancer?
Could hormone therapy affect my ability to work, exercise, or perform any daily activities?
Will it affect my sex life? If so, for how long?
Could hormone therapy affect my ability to have children? If so, should I consult with a fertility specialist before the treatment?
Whom should I talk with about any side effects when I experience them?
Who should I call with my questions or problems? How can I reach them during and after regular hours?
How will we know if hormone therapy is working?
Will I need any scans or tests during or after hormonal therapy?
Managing The Side Effects Of Hormone Therapy
Before hormone therapy begins, talk with your doctor about what side effects could happen and how they can be managed. Ask questions about anything that is unclear to you. This will help you feel more prepared if you start experiencing those side effects. Let your health care team know about any new or worsening medical problems you have as soon as possible. This is important to do even if you do not think your symptoms are serious or related to your hormone therapy. Tracking your side effects can make getting the relief you need easier. One way to track side effects is using the free Cancer.Net Mobile app. You can securely record when side effects occur and their severity, and you can easily share these details with your health care team to describe your experience.
Some people may need to take hormone therapy for a long time. Working with your health care team to manage side effects can help maintain quality of life while on this kind of extended cancer treatment.
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Managing The Side Effects Of Ais
AI-Induced Bone Loss
Estrogen deficiency has long been recognized as a risk factor for osteoporosis by increasing bone resorption through osteoclastogenesis. In a meta-analysis of seven trials comparing ais with tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early-stage bca, use of ais significantly increased the risk of bone fractures 13. The U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends an evaluation with baseline bone mineral density testing and follow-up every 2 years for women with bca undergoing therapy that lowers sex steroids14. Given osteoclastogenesis from estrogen deficiency, the use of osteoclast inhibitors such as bisphosphonates not only prevents bone loss, but, in postmenopausal women, is associated with a reduction in bca recurrence and bca mortality 15. The latest guidelines from Cancer Care Ontario and the American Society of Clinical Oncology therefore indicate that postmenopausal women and patients on ovarian suppression receiving adjuvant systemic treatment should be considered for intravenous zoledronic acid or oral clodronate for 35 years16. Supplementation with 1200 mg elemental calcium and 800 IU vitamin D daily is recommended for all patients14.
AI-Induced Musculoskeletal Symptoms
The use of ais has been associated with an increased risk of arthralgias, significantly increased tendon thickness, and carpal tunnel syndrome1719. Most of the carpal tunnel syndrome cases were mild-to-moderate in severity and did not require treatment.
Does Having Or Not Having A Uterus Make A Difference In Deciding What Type Of Hormone Therapy I Should Take
Yes, it does.
If you still have your uterus:
Progesterone is used along with estrogen. Taking estrogen without progesterone increases your risk for cancer of the endometrium . During your reproductive years, cells from your endometrium are shed during menstruation. When the endometrium is no longer shed, estrogen can cause an overgrowth of cells in your uterus, a condition that can lead to cancer.
Progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by making the endometrium thin. If you take progesterone, you may have monthly bleeding, or no bleeding at all, depending on how the hormone therapy is taken. Monthly bleeding can be lessened and, in some cases, eliminated by taking progesterone and estrogen together continuously.
If you no longer have your uterus :
You typically won’t need to take progesterone. This is an important point because estrogen taken alone has fewer long-term risks than HT that uses a combination of estrogen and progesterone.
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Hormone Therapy For Reducing The Risk Of Breast Cancer
Women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer because of their family history may be offered hormone therapy to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
Drugs used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who have not had breast cancer include:
These drugs are usually taken for five years.
Joint Discomfort And Pain
Joint symptoms related to hormone therapy for breast cancer do not tend to improve with the use of medications that you might take for typical arthritis, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, Mayer says.
What helps: Acupuncture and activity both show promise. âWe do have evidence that acupuncture can be helpful for joint pain,â Mayer says. âRegular exercise can also help reduce joint pain as well as helping you sleep better at night.â
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Hormone Therapy Can Cause Side Effects
Because hormone therapy blocks your bodys ability to produce hormones or interferes with how hormones behave, it can cause unwanted side effects. The side effects you have will depend on the type of hormone therapy you receive and how your body responds to it. People respond differently to the same treatment, so not everyone gets the same side effects. Some side effects also differ if you are a man or a woman.
Some common side effects for men who receive hormone therapy for prostate cancer include
How Is Hormone Therapy Given
Hormone therapy is most often used to treat breast and prostate cancers. Research is being done to see if hormonal therapy could be used to treat other cancer types. Hormone therapy can be given in a few ways:
- Oral medication Taken by mouth.
- Injection Given by an injection under the skin or in the muscle .
- Surgical intervention Removal of the ovaries in women, or testicles in men, causes lower levels of hormones being made.
Hormone therapy is a “systemic” therapy, meaning that it travels throughout the body. Surgery and radiation therapy are “local” treatments.
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What Is Unique About Receiving Hormone Therapy At Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers
At Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, your cancer care team will design a personalized cancer treatment plan that provides the ideal combination of therapies for the best possible outcome. Under our care, you will be monitored closely to determine if your hormone therapy is working. This involves regular PSA tests for prostate cancer treatment and regular checkups for breast cancer treatment.
Rest assured, you are in good hands with Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers. We believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease, which is why we will work hard to create the best cancer treatment plan for you.
Does Insurance Cover Pellet Therapy
Pellet therapy is a cash-based procedure and is not typically covered by health insurance. Therefore, you will incur the total cost yourself, which, surprisingly, is comparable to the other treatments.
Do hormone pellets hurt?
Most patients experience no pain with their hormone pellet insertion. However, to help alleviate any discomfort, a local anesthetic is applied to the insertion site before the procedure.
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Side Effects Of Tamoxifen And Toremifene
The most common side effects of tamoxifen and toremifene are:
- Vaginal dryness or discharge
- Changes in the menstrual cycle
When tamoxifen treatment starts, a small number of women with cancer that has spread to the bones might have a tumor flare which can cause bone pain. This usually decreases quickly, but in some rare cases a woman may also develop a high calcium level in the blood that is hard to control. If this happens, the treatment may need to be stopped for a time.
Rare, but more serious side effects are also possible:
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What Are The Side Effects
Hormone therapy is a systemic treatment, which means it can affect cells throughout the body.
As each hormone in the body has a specific function, altering the balance of hormones in the body can cause side effects. Whether or not you experience side effects, and how severe they are, depends on the type of hormone you are taking, the dose, and how long you take the treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking hormone therapy.
Common side effects include tiredness, hot flushes, mood changes, weight gain and sweating. Hormone therapy can also affect the fertility of both women and men, bring on menopause, and have an impact on your sexuality.
Hormone therapy may also cause bones to weaken and break more easily . Talk to your doctor about having a bone density test or taking medicine to prevent your bones from becoming weak. Regular exercise, eating calcium-rich foods and getting enough vitamin D will also help keep your bones strong.
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If Cancer Has Come Back Or Spread
Hormone therapy can be used to treat breast cancer that has come back or that has spread to another part of the body .
Its given either alone or with other treatments, depending on what treatments you had before.
If your breast cancer came back during or after treatment with hormone therapy, you may be offered a different type of hormone therapy.
Swelling Bruising Or Tenderness Of The Scrotum
Symptoms generally resolve on their own within three to five days. Oral anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are usually sufficient for pain relief, if necessary. You should avoid hot tubs and Jacuzzis for at least two to three days after the procedure. Postpone bike riding until the tenderness is gone.
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Possible Side Effects Of Ais
The most common side effects of AIs are:
- Bone and joint pain
AIs tend to have side effects different from tamoxifen. They donât cause uterine cancers and very rarely cause blood clots. They can, however, cause muscle pain and joint stiffness and/or pain. The joint pain may be similar to a feeling of having arthritis in many different joints at one time. Options for treating this side effect include, stopping the AI and then switching to a different AI, taking a medicine called duloxetine , or routine exercise with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . But the muscle and joint pain has led some women to stop treatment. If this happens, most doctors recommend using tamoxifen to complete 5 to 10 years of hormone treatment.
Because AIs drastically lower the estrogen level in women after menopause, they can also cause bone thinning, sometimes leading to osteoporosis and even fractures. If you are taking an AI, your bone density may be tested regularly and you may also be given bisphosphonates or denosumab , to strengthen your bones.
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What Can You Do To Prevent Late Effects Of Cancer Treatment
It isn’t clear that late effects can be prevented or why some people might experience late effects while others don’t. While this can be frustrating, you can take steps to help cope should you experience late effects. Help your body feel stronger and healthier by exercising and eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Don’t use tobacco. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Protect your skin from the sun.
©2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research . All rights reserved.
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What Is Octreotide And What Is It Used For
Octreotide is a medication used in the treatment of acromegaly, a disorder associated with excessive blood levels of growth hormone, and severe, watery diarrhea caused by certain types of gastrointestinal tumors.
Acromegaly causes excessive growth of body tissues, typically characterized by abnormally large hands, feet and face, and metabolic dysfunction. It may cause enlargement of internal organs and insulin resistance, and can be life-threatening. Most often, acromegaly is the result of an anterior pituitary growth hormone-releasing tumor. Carcinoid tumors are a type of slow-growing cancer of hormone-secreting nerve cells that can grow anywhere in the body. Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors cause severe diarrhea and flushing.
Octreotide works by binding to protein particles on cells that respond to somatostatin and inhibit their activity. This suppresses secretion of growth hormone from pituitary gland and insulin-like growth factor-1 from liver, reducing the metabolic and other symptoms of acromegaly. Octreotide also suppresses the response of the reproductive hormone luteinizing hormone to gonadotropin-releasing hormone , and the pancreatic secretion of glucagon and insulin, the two hormones that regulate blood glucose levels.
Uses of octreotide include:
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors
Off-label:
- Chylothorax, a disorder with lymphatic fluid collection in the chest
- Hepatorenal syndrome type 1 or acute kidney injury
Hormone Therapy With Radiotherapy
You have this if:
- your cancer hasnt spread to other parts of the body but is at a high risk of coming back, eg the cancer has grown through the covering of your prostate
- you have a very high prostatic specific antigen level
- you have a high Gleason score
You might have hormone therapy before, during and after radiotherapy. Doctors usually recommend that you have the treatment for between 3 months and 3 years. How long depends on the risk of your cancer coming back and how many side effects you get.
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Orchiectomy Surgical Removal Of The Testicles
Once a common treatment, orchiectomy is rarely used now, thanks to the development of advanced ADT drugs. The procedure removes the testicles the source of most testosterone production. The scrotal sac is left intact, and patients can have testicular prostheses implanted for cosmetic purposes. Orchiectomy is effective in drastically reducing levels of testosterone, but it has several downsides. Removal of the testicles is permanent and irreversible. Loss of the testicles makes it challenging to have intermittent hormone therapy, an advantageous treatment. And there is a psychological effect: Many patients feel distress related to the idea of lost masculinity if they undergo this procedure.
What Is Hormone Therapy For Cancer
Also referred to as hormonal or endocrine therapy, this cancer treatment is different from menopausal hormone replacement therapy , which refers to the prescription of supplemental hormones to help relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Certain cancers rely on hormones to grow. In these cases, hormone therapy may slow or stop their spread by blocking the bodys ability to produce these particular hormones or changing how hormone receptors behave in the body.
Breast and prostate cancers are the two types most commonly treated with hormone therapy. Most breast cancers have either estrogen or progesterone receptors, or both, which means they need these hormones to grow and spread. By contrast, prostate cancer needs testosterone and other male sex hormones, such as dihydrotestosterone , to grow and spread. Hormone therapy may help make these hormones less available to growing cancer cells.
Hormone therapy is available via pills, injection or surgery that removes hormone-producing organs, namely the ovaries in women and the testicles in men. Its typically recommended along with other cancer treatments.
If hormone therapy is part of your treatment plan, discuss potential risks or side effects with your care team so that you know what to expect and can take steps to reduce them. Let doctors know about all your other medications to avoid interactions.
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