Hormonal therapy for womb cancer
Hormonal therapies can slow down or prevent cancer cells from growing. They can be used to treat womb cancer.
What is hormonal therapy?
Hormones are substances produced naturally in the body. They act as chemical messengers and affect the growth and activity of cells. Oestrogen and progesterone are hormones that affect the growth of cells in the lining of the womb. Hormonal therapies are drugs that change the way hormones are made or how they work in the body.
When is hormonal therapy used for womb cancer?
Cancer doctors may suggest hormonal therapy for womb cancer when:
- it is advanced (stage 4)
- it has come back after treatment (recurrent womb cancer)
- surgery or radiotherapy is not suitable because of other health problems.
The aim of hormonal therapy is to help shrink the cancer and control symptoms.
Hormonal therapy for advanced or recurrent womb cancer
The main hormonal therapy for womb cancer that is advanced or come back is progesterone. You usually have it as tablets. The most common types of progesterone are:
- medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera®)
- megestrol (Megace®).
Other hormonal therapies are sometimes used, such as letrozole (Femara®).
Hormonal treatment for low risk early stage womb cancer
Cancer doctors may also suggest hormonal therapy instead of surgery if you would like to get pregnant in the future (fertility-sparing treatment). It is only suitable if you have early stage and low grade endometrioid cancer.
Fertility-sparing treatment
Surgery to remove the womb and ovaries is usually the main treatment for womb cancer. But having this surgery means you can no longer get pregnant. Sometimes it is possible to have fertility-sparing treatment instead if you would like to get pregnant in the future. It can only be used if you have:
- not been through the menopause
- early stage and low grade endometrioid cancer.
Fertility-sparing treatment usually involves taking daily progesterone tablets. Sometimes, progesterone is given directly into the womb through a hormone-releasing intrauterine device. This is sometimes called an IUD or coil.
You will have regular checks during and after fertility-sparing treatment. This is because there is a risk that the cancer may not respond to treatment, or it may come back.
You will need a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO):
- if the cancer does not respond to hormone treatment, or it comes back again
- after you have children.
Your cancer doctor can explain the possible risks and benefits of fertility-sparing treatment.
Related pages
Side effects of progesterone
The most common side effects of progesterone are:
- increased appetite
- weight gain
- headaches
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- constipation
- feeling sick
- feeling tired
- fluid build-up – such as swollen ankles (oedema).
Side effects can be mild and you are not likely to get all of them. Some will improve after the first few weeks of treatment. Some will get better after treatment finishes. Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any side effects. They can often be managed.
Having cancer, and cancer treatments such as hormonal therapy, can increase the risk of a blood clot.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our womb cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Oaknin, A. et al. Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology, Volume 33, Issue 9, 860 - 877
https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/esmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer (accessed January 2024).Berek JS, Matias-Guiu X, Creutzberg C, et al. FIGO staging of endometrial cancer: 2023. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2023; 162: 383-394. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14923 (accessed January 2024).
Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. NICE guideline [NG12] Published: 23 June 2015 Last updated: 02 October 2023 Overview | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE (accessed January 2024).
Miss Eva Myriokefalitaki
Reviewer
Consultant Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon
Date reviewed
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