My husband recently started Lupron and Casodex for stage 3b prostate cancer. Will begin 45 radiation treatments soon. Does anyone have any experience as to the effectiveness of this treatment and ..what has been your experience with side effects to the radiation treatment? Thank you.
new member: My husband recently started... - Advanced Prostate...
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He should get a PSMA PET scan before starting.
He may wish to consider this clinical trial:
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
Here are side effects of radiation he can expect:
As for effectiveness of Lupron+Casodex....This combination dropped my PSA by 99.98% within first 9 months. (PSA dropped from 830 to 0.1 )It was extremely effective in my case. I never needed radiations or chemo. or Surgery)
My initial PSA 1065 started cosodex and lupron for 30 days, next discontinued casodex and began zytiga. 7 months PSA .06, still on lupron at 6 month intervals and zytiga daily
Your husband appears to be on the same path I was (T3b - radiation + ADT) at the outset (Dx).
I'm six years in and doing well - undetectable again after a BCR - NOT every mans cancer can be predicted and compared 100%.
My long(er) term prognosis is very encouraging - you MIGHT do well after primary treatment(s) and follow up - don't be discouraged - no need to panic !!!
About the radiation after effects -> I was very surprised about the delayed fatigue that occurred POST treatment. During the treatment it wasn't until I was HALF finished that I started to feel like I was feeling any side effects. ALL is well now - no after effects - no urination problems - everything is as back to normal as can be expected.
For me the ADT was much more of an issue - but that's a topic for another day ....
Wishing you the best on your journey .....
Thanks so much for your encouraging response. Panic is the way to describe how my husband and I feel right now but trying to take it one day at a time. Also, am so glad for you that you are doing so well. And, thank you for sharing your experience with the treatment, including after the treatment. Very, very helpful. I will sincerely keep you all in my prayers.
Radiation side effects are usually mild or non existent if overall health is good. The Lupron is much more likely to cause side effects. There are a number of them, but all can usually be minimized or eliminated with cardiovascular exercise and especially weight lifting. It is a must-the loss in muscle mass unchecked produces significant fatigue and more.
Welcome Mrs. Jones. Yes the PSMA PET scan is important at the outset. If it finds any sites outside the pelvis it would change treatment to optimize outcome.
Greeting Sally,
Would you please be kind enough to tell us his bio. Age? Location? When diagnosed? Treatment(s)? Treatment center(s)? Scores Psa/Gleason? Medications? Doctor's name(s)?
ALL INFO IS VOLUNTARY, but it helps us help you/him and helps us too. When you respond, you might want to copy and paste it in your/his home page for your/his use and for other members’ reference.
THANK YOU AND KEEP POSTING!!!
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Tuesday 03/29/2022 7:27 PM EST
thank you and everyone else for replying and doing so promptly. He is 63, diagnosed this past Feb. 1 following a biopsy. PET SCAN and MRI clear. He is stage 3b as there is cancer in the seminal vessicles and Gleason score is 8 with PSA of 10.5. We live in Florida. I just want to be able to offer the best support I can to him. Thank you again and hope this info allows for easier answers to my original post.
Sally, Thank you for your quick and detailed reply. Again, it's a good idea to copy and paste your husbands bio (above) to your home page (it's worth the effort). You have come to the right place for help and information. Keep posting here..... BTW please do not panic.... Pca is a slow growing disease and will give you time to research the best approach for him to beat "the Beast".. Take care and regards to you and your husband (whatever his name)....
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n Wednesday 03/30/2022 11:14 AM EST