Lupron Did Not Shrink Prostate! Actually, It Grew!!

 

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