Anti-Hormones

An anti-hormone is an agent that works against a hormone or a hormone's response in the body. Many anti-hormone agents have been developed to interfere with the interaction between the hormone molecule and its receptor site, which stimulates cell growth and proliferation.

Tamoxifen (also called Nolvadex) is the first anti-estrogen to achieve widespread clinical use. It has become standard first-line anti-hormonal therapy for metastatic breast cancer and for adjuvant therapy of early stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen acts by attaching to the cell surface estrogen receptor without initiating the intracellular processes which leads to proliferation. Its presence at the receptor site blocks the attachment of estrogen and thus interferes with their actions on breast cells and breast cancer cells. Other anti-estrogen drugs include the aromatase inhibitors which block the enzyme aromatase used for estrogen production. These drugs include

• Anastrozole (Arimidex),
• Letrozole (Femara) and
• Exemestane (Aromasin)

Anti-androgens such as Flutamide are used as anti-hormone treatment in the medical management of advanced prostate cancer. Flutamide attaches to androgen receptors on prostate cancer cells and blocks the actions of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in stimulating cell growth.

The SEER Program Coding and Staging Manual 2018 includes specific guidance for coding hormone therapy in the registry abstract. Information can also be found in the Commission on Cancer STORE manual. Information entered in the abstract related to hormone treatment includes

• Date Hormone Therapy Started
• Rx Date–Hormone Flag
• Hormone Therapy (Hormone/Steroid Therapy)
• Text – that supports the codes entered

Updated: December 21, 2023