Subject: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 09/26/2007
Hi, I am desperate for advice. My Dad, diagnosed in the spring of this year, age 62, Gleason was 6, PSA was about 10, biopsy showed 2 samples out of 25 taken, detected cancer. His CT scan showed absolutely NOTHING, meaning, the tumor was only microscopic at this point. No spreading, or anything. He opted for the "seed" therapy, but prostate was too big, so he had one shot of Lupron, to last 4 months.
It's now the end of the 4 months, and his prostate did NOT shrink at all.
In fact, they said it GREW slightly!!
His Dr. said this was the first time he's ever seen this, in his LONG career!
Does anyone know if this is bad or good??? Does anyone know ANYTHING about it?
I've read that the hormone therapy can actually sometimes TRIGGER more cancer growth! I'm wondering if that's what happened???
They've decided to take the "watchful waiting" approach for now, and his first PSA test after the hormones will be...hopefully soon.
I'm dreading it now, wondering if the hormones made the cancer grow, instead of stop?!? Did anyone ever hear of this happening? I can't believe the DOCTOR didn't!!!? Thank you,
-Nervous Daughter
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 09/26/2007
Men often react differently to the various kinds of hormone medications. As you indicated, sometimes one kind will not work at all, or will only work for a short time, but a different medication will often bring results. Prostate size is not so critical with other treatment options. Watchful waiting is often suggested if there are a small number of positive samples and low Gleason scores of 6 for example.
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 09/27/2007
Watchful waiting is investigational and in a 62 year old without any other Medical reasons should be treated since his expected life is 15 plus years. He could have surgery or radiation with the leaning being toward Radiation due to the PSA of 10. Irregardless the cure rate would be 90 percent plus with proper treatment. Getting Lupron is not watchful waiting in any case. As stated in a otherwise healthy 62 year old I would recommend treatment rather than take a chance he developes disease spread as the first sign of progression. Lack of response to Lupron would also be a reason to push for treatment as his tumor is hormone refractory and therefore more than likely more aggressive.
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 09/27/2007
At age 62, all else being equal, suggest a rp/nns, may buy yourself 25 yrs. if nothing else gets him...watchful waiting just does not statistically have much value..e.g., Merv Griffin & Tiger Woods dad for example..best wishes
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 10/01/2007
Why are Merv Griffin and Tiger Woods Dad mentioned in relation to watchful waiting? It is misleading in this context, as both had recurrence after treatment for their Prostate Cancer.
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 10/01/2007
The gentlemen are mentioned because they elected not to remove the site from the body, hence, the increased likelyhood of spread or "non-cure". In this gentlemens case, the site remains and; thus, increased likelyhood that the outside "time bought" may approximate 7 yrs. Of course, you may get 7 yrs. doing nothing....me, I like having run the table and maybe dying of something else in 25 yrs....best wishes to all...PS, ..lucky me, at least today, psa is non-detectable...one of my dr's actually had a smile on his face, and me, ...its like being in the chair and the governor calls with a "stay"...livin large, more than ever...knock on wood...
Subject: RE: Lupron did NOT shrink prostate! Actually, it GREW!!
Date: 10/03/2007
On 9/26/2007 jrr4fgr wrote: Hi, I am desperate for advice. My Dad, diagnosed in the spring of this year, age 62, Gleason was 6, PSA was about 10, biopsy showed 2 samples out of 25 taken, detected cancer. His CT scan showed absolutely NOTHING, meaning, the tumor was only microscopic at this point. No spreading, or anything. He opted for the "seed" therapy, but prostate was too big, so he had one shot of Lupron, to last 4 months.
It's now the end of the 4 months, and his prostate did NOT shrink at all.
In fact, they said it GREW slightly!!
His Dr. said this was the first time he's ever seen this, in his LONG career!
Does anyone know if this is bad or good??? Does anyone know ANYTHING about it?
I've read that the hormone therapy can actually sometimes TRIGGER more cancer growth! I'm wondering if that's what happened???
They've decided to take the "watchful waiting" approach for now, and his first PSA test after the hormones will be...hopefully soon.
I'm dreading it now, wondering if the hormones made the cancer grow, instead of stop?!? Did anyone ever hear of this happening? I can't believe the DOCTOR didn't!!!? Thank you,
-Nervous Daughter
Actually, the Lupron shots are given to slow the production of testosterone, not shrink the prostate. I did just read though that the John Hopkins research is looking into cancer spreading with the lupron shots. The slowing of the androgens with these shots may be the cause of the disease becoming worse, rather than better. Not a definite yet. Have to wait and see. I did have robotic surgery and the lupron shot, my psa came back at 0. I visit the doctor next week to see if it has changed. RT
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