What are androgens and why do they matter in prostate cancer?

Androgens are male sex hormones that control the development and maintenance of male characteristics. The most common androgens in the body are testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Androgens matter in prostate cancer because early prostate cancers need them to grow. Androgens promote the growth of both normal and cancerous prostate cells. Almost all testosterone is made in the testicles, with a small amount made by the adrenal glands.

This is why hormone therapy for prostate cancer focuses on androgens. Treatments either lower the amount of androgens the body makes or block androgens from acting on prostate cancer cells. Lowering or blocking androgens can slow the growth of prostate cancers that still depend on them.

Over time, many prostate cancers become castration resistant and keep growing even when androgen levels are very low. Your care team can explain how hormone therapy fits into your treatment.