Hormone and radiation therapy
I've stayed active, exercise and hiked or biked regularly all my life. I feel good at age 66, but diagnosed in 2011 (I think it was 3+4 Gleason 7), chose watchful waiting. After BPH symptoms in 2021 I had a TURP which raised quality of life greatly. Samples showed 4+3 Gleason so I started scans and tx's including 6 month Eligard injection in early July 2022, started M-F radiation tx's in mid September 2022. Doc's want to add enzalutamide. I don't want to as radiation and Eligard seem to be working and I feel lucky that the only significant side effect has been hot flashes.
Hi
. Glad to hear that the side effects of the original treatment have been manageable. Is there a specific reason that your medical team wants to add Xtandi (enzalutamide)? Has the cancer spread beyond the prostate or the PSA not come down sufficiently with the Eligard? I ask because these are the usual reasons that Xtandi would be prescribed (see: https://prostatecancer.net/treatment/xtandi-reviews-how-well-works-side-effects). I also want to add that if you feel your questions about treatment are not being addressed don't hesitate to push for answers or seek a second opinion. Best, Richard (ProstateCancer.net Team) Hello Richard. Thank you for the reply. The Doc's believe the cancer has spread to lymph glands. I think so too as I've seen the scans and lymph glands look enlarged. PSA has come down from 44 to around 4 with the Eligard. Another PSA will likely be taken in early October appointment where I'll see if it's come down more with the radiation along with the Eligard. My thinking is that if these two therapies are doing the job I won't need the Xtandi where I would risk more side effects. Thank you again Richard and I will be asking more questions from my treatment team. Thanks also for the Xtandi article which is much easier to understand than many I've read.
Agree with Richard - Ask questions and do not feel embarrassed in doing so or feel you are taking too much of the MD's valuable time. You may find asking for a second opinion can open up some new options or pathways. Some of the newer scans today can help you and your MD's gain insight into where and if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate bed and into other parts of your body. Good luck with your testing and please keep us updated on your journey. Dennis (ProstateCancer.net TEAM)
Hello and thank you Dennis for the good info/advice.
I'm learning more questions to ask as I go along. 😀 I meet with Radiation Oncologist each Monday before or after tx and they always ask if I have any questions.
Next Monday I plan to ask exactly where the rays are targeting and are they able to see the tumors?
From reading up on radiation tx's I learned and asked about protons vs photons. My tx's are apparently photons as targets wouldn't require proton rays that stop at the tumor. ??
Thanks again, will update!
