Why are steroid hormones used to treat cancer?

Answer 1

There are many reasons to do so, and many types of steroids that all have different results, but one that is common is that chemotherapy targets fast growing cells like cancer. Some normal cells, however, also grow fast such as the lining of the stomach. One reason for the nausea of chemotherapy is that the lining of a patient's stomach is killed and slough's off, allowing the stomach to be irritated by normal acids. Sometimes steroids are used to help this lining replace itself faster. Some steroids are also given just prior to chemotherapy to help reduce the nausea from the treatment drugs themselves.

Answer 2

Steroid hormones slow the growth of some cancers that depend on hormones. For example, tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancers that depend on the hormone estrogen for growth.