New hormone treatment option for prostate cancer

A new 12 month hormone therapy treatment is launched for men with advanced prostate cancer. The Vantas® (histrelin) implant is a small and flexible device, made from the same materials as soft contact lenses. Vantas® is the first 12 month implant to treat prostate cancer to be available in the UK.

Mr John Anderson, Consultant Urologist at Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield said: “The Vantas® implant is simple and quick to insert and means these men can continue to live life, work and travel without the need for more regular injections - although it is of course still important that they keep to scheduled check-up appointments. It is also unique in that the implant can be quickly removed, which is important if side effects need to be quickly stopped. The side effects of LHRH hormone therapies such as Vantas® include hot flushes, impotence or decreased libido.”