Hormone-dependent neoplasms refer to a group of tumors or abnormal growths in the body that are influenced or driven by hormonal factors. A neoplasm is a medical term for an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, commonly known as a tumor. In the case of hormone-dependent neoplasms, the growth and development of these tumors are directly influenced by the presence or absence of certain hormones.
Hormones are chemical substances produced by the endocrine glands, which circulate in the bloodstream and act as messengers, regulating various bodily functions. Hormones can stimulate or inhibit the growth of certain cells in the body, and certain types of neoplasms have receptors that bind to specific hormones, leading to their growth and progression.
Hormone-dependent neoplasms can exist in various organs or tissues in the body, such as breast, prostate, ovary, uterus, or thyroid gland. The most well-known examples include hormone receptor-positive breast cancer or prostate cancer, where the tumor cells possess hormone receptors that respond to estrogen or androgen hormones, respectively. In these cases, the presence of hormones can activate the receptors and promote tumor growth, while hormone therapies or interventions aim to block or reduce the hormonal stimulus to slow down the progression of the neoplasm.
Overall, hormone-dependent neoplasms are characterized by their reliance on specific hormones for growth and development, emphasizing the importance of hormone-related treatments in managing the disease.
