ADT therapy and breast enlargement - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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ADT therapy and breast enlargement

Yokohama2023 profile image
18 Replies

Hello, any feedback on outlook for breast enlargement with ADT therapy ..currently taking Lupron and Bicalutmide? Diagnosed in Japan this June , 56, Gleason 7 , 4+3, PSA18, most likely no metastasis..was fairly fit…165, 5’10 but gaining weight and some man boobs. I generally was working out 4 days a week..but broke a finger ..bad timing hence limited weight training for the last 6 weeks.. I’ve probably gained 10 pounds or more .. just seems like my food cravings have changed while on medication. Unfortunately preventative measures .. nipple radiation and a drug aren’t available here. Currently doing tri modality for unfavorable intermediate…(ADT prior to Brachytherapy, , and some ADT with LINAC… soon). I’m on the fence weather I should continue both ADT drugs after the completion of external beam.. e.g. adjuvant therapy. One doctor said not needed..the other said usually recommended.. considering another 3 months after..as it hasn’t really been that bad. Anyone here with feedback regarding breast enlargement during and or after the completion on ADT treatment. Expect to trim down back to my original weight just wondering if the boobs will reduce a little with some weight loss and if I’m potentially going to make it worse with a nine month ADT treatment. I would consider a year of ADT if it would potentially make my prospects better.. any feedback from others who have gone or going through this.. good luck to all.

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Yokohama2023
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18 Replies
mrscruffy profile image
mrscruffy

Been on ADT for 7+ years. Had the beginning of man boobs and eliminated them by diet and increased the frequency of chest days in the gym

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023 in reply tomrscruffy

Thanks for the feedback ! I realize this is minor inconvenience considering the severity of the situation but I’ve been working out for over 30 years and between .. man boobs, loss of a sex drive, a fatty gut , package shrinkage it just seems like a slap in the face on top of everything else. I think the hormones have cause my healthy diet to slide .. along with a 2 month bone breakage .. I’m an advocate for push ups, pull ups, and all else. Hope all is well for you and all.

GP24 profile image
GP24

Bicalutamide does not make much difference in combination with Lupron. You could just drop that and reduce further breast enlargement this way.

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023 in reply toGP24

wasn’t sure which one is more dominant… I’m aware of the functions of each medication but wasn’t sure which may cause breast enlargement… more difficult dealing with this in a different language …arghhhh

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023

ok thanks

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Tamoxifen is available in Japan. It is used by women with breast cancer.

rad-ar.or.jp/siori/english/...

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023 in reply toTall_Allen

Thanks for the information

gsun profile image
gsun in reply toTall_Allen

Does Tamoxifen reduce breasts already enlarged or just stop the enlargement?

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply togsun

20 mg can reverse it, but not if it has gone on for a long time and connective tissue has grown in there.

gsun profile image
gsun in reply toTall_Allen

Long time being? My case is I have been on ADT for over five years but the enlargement just started less than a year ago. Maybe six months.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply togsun

It depends on whether there is connective tissue.

Petertanner profile image
Petertanner

If it is any help, I had significant breast enlargement with Bicalutamide despite radiation to my breasts to stop it. Ended up with a bilateral mastectomy to get rid of them.

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023 in reply toPetertanner

I’ve read that’s an option and that sensitivity can be an issue afterwards. Hope it went well for you.. I wouldn't mind a slight increase but visions of Bob from fight club enter my mind which I’d like to avoid. If you don’t mind me asking what was the duration of time that you were on the medication? Are you happy with the results?

Qiviut profile image
Qiviut

All good comments here. I went through a very similar treatment regimen. The consequence of the ADT is a significant increase in subcutaneous fat due to the testosterone suppression. It is well documented. Some of it will recede after stopping taking the drug. Unfortunately, the breast enlargement is not to my knowledge reversable with diet. You may want to consult an endocrinologist. You appear to be well informed and aware of your condition and treatment options. Ganbatte

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023 in reply toQiviut

Thanks for your feedback..ありがとうございます

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n

I got to like my tits.........(wife's jealous)....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/06/2023 11:18 AM EST

sciaticaman profile image
sciaticaman

4 or 5 months after finishing a 6 month dose of Lupron, I suddenly had sensitivity and slight pain in my breasts and during the next 2 months developed breast tissue (lumpy at first but now smoother). The sensitivity and pain has pretty much stopped and no more enlargement. I have read that the breast tissue may not go away even after stopping Lupron. One person on this site said that his breasts went away after stopping Lupron and doing a lot of bench presses with weights. Needless to say, I am ding bench presses and hoping that my PSA stays at zero and I will not have to go on Lupron again. The breast development was not the worst side effect. Joint pain, nerve pain, and fatigue were the most debilitating and kept me from exercising well.

Yokohama2023 profile image
Yokohama2023

Hi, have the same concern 8 months in.. I’m fairly young fit and people look at me funny when I have prostate cancer in Japan not my home country not great at Japanese .. oh well. It is what it is… I’d say go to the gym with no expectation and do what you can regardless of anything you will feel better.. I have joint pain and noticed that chest exercises minimized the breast outcome .. I’m hoping once I stop I’ll recover so appreciate your feedback.. I’m in adjuvant guessland and hoping to stop soon. Be strong !

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