Hormonal therapies are used to try and slow down the cancer and relieve symptoms. Hormonal therapy is usually used to treat secondary cancer of the liver, when the cancer has spread from the breast. Its effectiveness is not yet proven.

There are different types of hormonal drugs. Most are given as a daily tablet. There are side-effects, which vary depending on the drug used. Your doctor will discuss them with you.

Hormones are produced naturally in the glands and organs of the body. They help to control the growth and activity of cells all over the body. Some cancers need hormones to help them grow. Hormone therapy alters hormone production, or blocks the action of the hormones, so that they can’t help cancer cells to grow. It is sometimes called endocrine therapy.