Hormone therapy

Hotema · New User Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

I was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer nearly 3 1/2 years ago. I opted for external radiation and seed implantation based on the fact that the cancer was very small and located on the outside. The original biopsy showed the cancer was local and had not spread.

Shortly after all the treatments, my PSA went down for a period of time but them began to fluxuate, going as high as 9 then down to 2.1 Another biopsy was done and revealed no cancer. My urologist thought I should began hormone treatment (Lupron & Casodex) as a precautionary measure.

Has anyone else in the forum had a similar experience? How did you handle the situation? I look forward to hearing your story.
_________________
Good Health

gonogo · Regular Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 25

As everyone knows that has read up on Pca, hormone therapy is not a cure.

DavidCohen · Regular Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 37

[quote="Hotema"]I was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer nearly 3 1/2 years ago. I opted for external radiation and seed implantation based on the fact that the cancer was very small and located on the outside. The original biopsy showed the cancer was local and had not spread.

Shortly after all the treatments, my PSA went down for a period of time but them began to fluxuate, going as high as 9 then down to 2.1 Another biopsy was done and revealed no cancer. My urologist thought I should began hormone treatment (Lupron & Casodex) as a precautionary measure.

Has anyone else in the forum had a similar experience? How did you handle the situation? I look forward to hearing your story.[/quote]

I would do a free PSA and the other Prostate Cancer test before you go on hormone treatments. There are side effects. You don't want to treat any cancer that is not there.

I never heard of a doctor using other treatments if the biopsy was negative. That would be a first.

MarkS · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Hormone therapy

Hotema,
I'm not sure if you want to hear from people who have had horomone treatment recommended even though biopsies were negative or from people who are undergoing horomone tratment.
I had 14 biopsies taken and they were all positive so there was absolutely no doubt in my case. Horomone treatment was recomended by my urologist as the thing that would likely do the most good - not as a cure but, hopefully, to buy me some time. The options were explained to me and I chose the more radical of them and had my testicals removed. I'm certainly not recommending you do that but in my case it seemed the best choice given my advanced condition.
Other's may have different opinions but I stand by my decision (for me), and that's the thing - ultimately YOU have to make the decision. You can reserch all you want and get opinions until the cows come home but it's unlikely that you'll find a black and white answer. You have to weigh the advantages/disadvantages (both definitive and potential), decide who's advice you can have the most faith in, pray about it if you're so inclined, and then make a decision and don't look back.

Hotema · New User Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 2

MarkS,
Thank you for your honesty. I realize I'm the only one who can make the final decision (excluding God) about my treatment. I'm seeking a second opinion and gathering a bit more information, weigh everything and, yes, pray.

I'll do whatever I have to to give myself as much time as possible. It's just curious to me that after radiation and seed implantation that my PSA would fluctuate rather than fall they way it did for my brother (runs in the family). My second biopsy, as I mentioned earlier, showed no cancer but I do understand that the hormone treatment is a precautionary measure and if the 'evidence' leans in that direction, I'll restart the treatment.

I just want to thank you again for your response. I really appreciate it.
_________________
Good Health

LindaTN · Regular Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 42

When my husband had radiation at Vanderbilt they told him for two years his psa could and probably would go up and down. It is called the bounce and he was told that it was good if it did that. His psa was 60, he had a couple different forms of radiation, so far two years plus it is still way below 1 but has gone up and down a couple times. You can always start the lupron etc if you really need it. It does have side effects. Husband took it for four months and stopped but is there if he needs it knowing it only works for most people three or four years. Linda

schoots · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 8:18 am Post subject: prostate treatments

Hi Hotema, I have recently been diagnosed with localised but aggressive prostate cancer and understand your cofusion. There seems to be so much contradictory info out there and the medicos can't really come up with anything specific can they? I don't want to confuse you further but for a different slant on things have a look at a British site [url]www.worldwithoutcancer.org.uk[/url] At the moment I am at a complete loss as to which way to go.
If I were you, if there is no indication of localised cancer and bone scans don't show any spread elsewhere, I'd probably adopt a "watchfull waiting" approach. Just keep checking and looking for any specific trend and respond accordingly.
I wish you the best of health and contentment in your choice so that you have some peace of mind, John. Rolling Eyes

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Prostate Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others