RT without HT

You may find my experience interesting but every man has to make his own decision and weigh up the Pros and Cons on this aspect as well as in others respects. I think you also need to take into account the latest advice which comes through experience of medical bodies throughout the world as best choice.

I started my HT directly after diagnosis towards the end of 2007, the idea being that I would have 3 months of HT and then RT. I can neither remember nor find anything in writing advising that I should have HT post RT. (My PSA on diagnosis was 17.6, my staging T3A, locally advanced with no spread seen outside the Prostate and Gleason 3+4). I had no idea whatsoever about PCa but began to research it extensively and decided to have my RT in Germany where I was accepted into a trial. I remember writing to the Royal Marsden saying my RT would be delayed for operational reasons, so how would they consider two further months of HT to cover the period up to and including most of the RT. The Marsden replied that this "would do no harm, no harm at all" . It was subsequently established that having 6 months of HT before RT produced better results than 3 so I was on the right side of chance as it happened.

So I had my last injection of Zoladex in Germany during treatment and then resumed care under The Royal Marden who never suggested I have further HT. Years later I was offered it when my case was taken over by UCLH but I declined it saying i just wanted HIFU.

In retrospect, I think I was lucky to have had the extra HT prior to and during RT when it has been shown to be more beneficial. Although for a time it was thought 3 years HT post RT would be beneficial, this seems to be less rigidly followed now with men having variously less time on it according to their individual feelings, progress and views of their Oncologists. My view is that HT is of greater benefit earlier rather than post RT but that's only my view I am sure there are individual cases where post RT, HT helps.

Peter, I have had surgery, salvage RT two courses of SABR treatment. I swore I wouldn't have HT.

Three weeks ago I started six months of 150mg daily bicalutamide. It has caused a bit of constipation and upset stomach possibly a bit of pain in my already defective kidneys. After changing my mind a few times I took the view that if it gets too much I will stop taking it.

I didn't have HT with the salvage RT, the MDT decided it was not right because of a stricture I developed,so in my case treatment was tailored to me.

The oncologist said it was optional but advisable.

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks Chris 

Edited by member 21 Jun 2023 at 21:53  | Reason: Not specified

I had 18 months of bicalutimide.   Started 3 months before my salvage radiotherapy. 

I've no regrets.  As my prostatectomy hadn't succeeded, it was my last chance of a cure.

It worked.  PSA now <0.006.

Lyn, I did think about mentioning that very valid point, and is one of the reasons I eventually decided to go ahead ahead with the HT this time.

Thanks Chris 

I think you meant reluctance to have HT rather than RT in your second paragraph.  As regards your comment about not doing anything until symptoms appear, sometimes  PCa can advance quite extensively without any symptoms, so I would urge you to consider PSA and follow up scans rather than ignore until symptoms appear.

Edited by member 23 Jun 2023 at 02:55  | Reason: Not specified

Hello Jules, I wanted to say sincere thanks for your post as it did give me the kick up the a*se that I needed and make me think differently about my diagnosis, having effectively been in denial and on self-imposed AS for four years

I know now that the cancer is the enemy, RT is my army and HT is a band of mercenaries which will fight on my side, albeit at a cost

The HT won't kill me and I accept that whilst it may affect how I live, at least it will help me to live and hopefully help avert any recurrence

So here we go, MDT advised and now waiting for the get-go

Thanks again

Peter

Gutsy decision Peter, so congratulations and all strength to you. I hope you'll stick around here to add your voice to the support system. There's some terrific knowledge and experience here and it's helped many people, including me.

You'll probably find the mercenaries a bit hard to handle for a short period but in a couple of years time I think you'll be very pleased you went the way you did.

Thanks for your very generous post 😀

Jules