Waiting

[NFHS]

Gleason 9. Not spread. Surgery for April 1. Does Lupron shot prevent spread while I wait till April?

[GP24]

Yes, it will. However, you have to take Casodex before the Lupron shot.

[NFHS in reply to GP24]

Thanks!

[StayingOptimistic in reply to GP24]

Why casodex?

Is it always necessary with lubron?

Thanks

[GP24 in reply to StayingOptimistic]

The American Cancer Society writes:

cancer.org/cancer/prostate-...

When LHRH agonists are first given, testosterone levels go up briefly before falling to very low levels. This effect is called flare and results from the complex way in which these drugs work. Men whose cancer has spread to the bones may have bone pain. If the cancer has spread to the spine, even a short-term increase in tumor growth as a result of the flare could press on the spinal cord and cause pain or paralysis. Flare can be avoided by giving drugs called anti-androgens (discussed below) for a few weeks when starting treatment with LHRH agonists.

Lupron is an LHRH agonist.

[StayingOptimistic in reply to GP24]

Thank you, sir.

[Tall_Allen]

Yes. The treatment that has the best outcomes for gleason 9 is brachy BOOST therapy, but it is not available everywhere:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2018/03/...

[NFHS in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks!

[NFHS]

Thanks!

[tallguy2]

Never had Casodex, just Lupron/Eligard.

When you say "not spread" please elaborate...how do you know this?

Best wishes!

[NFHS in reply to tallguy2]

CAT Scan and Bone Scan showed no spread.

[tallguy2 in reply to NFHS]

That is excellent news!

[Stegosaurus37]

Everybody is different and normally, yes, lupron will help. There is always the 10%, however - like me - where lupron, while lowering the testosterone to unmeasurable levels, won't do a damn thing for your cancer. When I went on lupron my testosterone went to zero and my PSA went form 19 to 45. Nobody knows what will work or what won't. Take your best shot and if that doesn't work, try something else.

But always remember - attitude is everything.

[Mkeman in reply to Stegosaurus37]

Go to Foundation One website and see if a genetic study might point to a treatment regimen. if insurance doesn’t cover...they will do the whole study for $3500 self pay.