Sex Steroids and Breast Cancer: An Overview

Zeina Nahleh, Juan E. Arenas, Arafat Tfayli

Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon..
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, USA.
Department of Internal Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2013.44097                

Abstract

Sex steroids, also known as sex hormones are synthesized naturally by the gonads (ovaries or testes). The two main classes of sex steroids, androgens and estrogens, are crucial hormones for the proper development and function of the body; they regulate sexual differentiation, the secondary sex characteristics, and sexual habits. They are also well known to influence many common cancers, especially hormonally driven cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. In this report, we review the association of sex steroids with cancer and the potential use of endocrine manipulation in cancer therapy as well as the limitations and challenges faced in this field.

Keywords

Sex Steroids; Hormones; Breast; Cancer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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