What characterizes hormone-sensitive cancers?

Hormone-sensitive cancers are defined by their reliance on hormones for growth and survival. These types of cancers, such as certain breast and prostate cancers, have receptors that respond to circulating hormones, which can promote their proliferation and enable tumor growth. This is a crucial aspect of their biology because it opens up specific treatment avenues that target these hormonal pathways—such as hormone therapy, which can inhibit hormone production or disrupt hormone-receptor interactions, effectively slowing or halting cancer progression.

The characteristic of being influenced by hormones is what distinguishes hormone-sensitive cancers from those that are not affected by hormonal levels. Therefore, understanding the interplay between these cancers and hormonal signals is key in developing effective treatment strategies and management plans for patients.