Triptorelin is a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) blocker. This means it stops messages from a part of the brain called the hypothalamus that tells the pituitary gland Open a glossary item to produce luteinising hormone.
Luteinising hormone tells the testicles to produce testosterone Open a glossary item. So, blocking GnRH stops the testicles producing testosterone.
Prostate cancer depends on testosterone to grow. So triptorelin can shrink the cancer or slow its growth.
In women, it stops the ovaries Open a glossary item from producing oestrogen.
Some breast cancers depend on oestrogen to grow. Lowering the level of oestrogen can slow or stop the growth of the cancer.
Hormones are substances produced naturally in the body. These act as chemical messengers and help control the activity of cells and organs. Hormone therapies interfere with the way hormones are made or formed in the body.
Most prostate cancers need the hormone testosterone to grow. Almost all of the testosterone in men is made by the testicles.
