Prostate Cancer Treatment
Hi everyone,
My dad had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer gleason 7 (4+3). We went to the dr today, good news cancer is contained no spread anywhere else.
Dr wants my dad to start Casodex daily, next month Lupron injection every 3 months. We are waiting to see radiation oncologist on external beam radiation.
The dr said most side effects are hot flashes, breast tenderness and diarrhea towards the end of hormone therapy.
I had some questions but kind of feel like a deer in headlights at appts. Did anyone experience nausea, tiredness with these treatments or any other side effects?
Dr doesn't seem too concerned but my dad is a dialysis patient and I want to make sure he can make it to all his treatments.
If there is anything that helps with side effects or good questions I should ask moving forward please let me know and what your experience is if you've done similar treatment.
Thanks so much!!!
Sorry to hear that your dad has been diagnosed. A Gleason 6 is not likely to spread while a Gleason 7 is a bit on the edge . If you have decided to do radiation vs surgery the use of hormone therapy is intended weaken the cancer and make it more responsive to treatment. My personal experience with reactions to radiation and Lupron went beyond hot flashes and breast tenderness. Other men I have known had mild reactions. How your dad will react is unknown until he is in treatment. Prostate Cancer unlike other cancers is very slow growing so you have time to ask lots of questions. I was diagnosed with a Gleason 9 in 2013 and am still here following surgery at age 70 and radiation at 75
This is a good time to do some research and ask a lot of questions such as ..."Is Proton treatment a better option for your dad vs radiation?" .. "If the cancer is believed to be contained is surgery an option for your dad at this point?" ... I am sure more men will join in here with additional thoughts . Just know that this disease is very treatable and men can do very well with it for years. ... Dennis(ProstateCancer.net TEAM)Thank you for your insight I appreciate it! I will do more research and look into proton therapy. I have not heard of it before. We were hoping my dad could get surgery but, unfortunately my dad is not a candidate for surgery due to his age and other health issues. Thanks again!
Keep us posted,
. Wishing you and your dad the best. -Samuel, Team Member
Prayers for your Dad and your family. Casodex was terrible for me but I only took it during radiation. You may want to research Orgovyx rather than lupron as it is a daily pill rather than being loaded with one or three months of lupron. The Prostrate Cancer Research institute is a great resource to learn more about cancer grades and treatments.
