The first hormone that was successfully used is known as DES or diethylstilbestrol. This drug is a female hormone that often has a dramatic effect on the size and the growth patterns of prostate cancers that have spread to other areas. More recently a drugs such as Lupron and Zoladex (which temporarily block the production of the male hormone testosterone in the testes) have been used and have been shown to be very effective in their ability to restrict the growth of prostate cancers. They have been used to reduce the volume of prostate cancers prior to surgery and/or interstitial implantation and also in the treatment of metastatic disease.

Another type of hormonal treatment that can be used involves a surgical procedure. This is known as a bilateral orchiectomy. In this procedure both testes are removed. The testes are responsible for the production of testosterone, which can stimulate prostate cancer growth. Its removal has often shown dramatic responses to metastatic prostate cancer.