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US guidelines updated to include hormone patches as an alternative to injections for prostate cancer

02 Nov 2026

Influential guidelines issued by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in the US have been updated to include hormone patches as an alternative to injections for men whose prostate cancer has not spread to other parts of their body.

This is based on results from the PATCH and STAMPEDE trials. These trials showed that transdermal oestradiol patches were as good as Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) agonist injections (the current standard treatment) in controlling prostate cancer for men whose cancer has not spread beyond the prostate.

The tE2 patches offer advantages including improved bone health, healthier levels of sugar and fats in the blood, reduced hot flushes and higher quality of life scores compared to LHRH agonist injections. However, they are associated with higher rates of breast swelling.

While the National Comprehensive Cancer Network is a US organisation, their guidelines are influential in many places around the world. The PATCH team hope that other prostate cancer treatment guidelines, including those in the UK, will be updated to give men an alternative option to LHRH injections.

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