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bob1955 avatar

ADT, maybe not? Anyone opted out of ADT?

Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 29 minutes ago | Replies (84)

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I am trying to get a 2nd opinion concerning ADT duration. I am 75 yrs old and just finished 8 weeks of external beam radiation therapy in Europe following a diagnosis of unfavorable 3+4 Gleason with no metastasis or ganglion involvement but some seminal vesicle involvement PSA 9. I had no symptoms was in great physical shape, but it showed up on an MRI and was confirmed by a biopsy an Pet scan. I am starting the 4th month of ADT and doing ok now that the radiation is completed. I have been advised to do 2 yrs of ADT. Is that standard in the United States? I am reading different studies questioning optimal duration. I exercise daily and always have but since starting ADT and the treatment have lingering lower back pain. I am not sure if it is ADT as I never had back pain previously. I also do not know how to find a good specialist to look over my treatment, the results and confirm or advise me as to other alternatives if necessary before I return for the second 6th month shot.

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Replies to "I am trying to get a 2nd opinion concerning ADT duration. I am 75 yrs old..."

@lamer25
Were you told you are pT3b? With seminal vesicle invasion that is the normal stage.

Here are the USA guidelines for ADT.

You should notice that T3 requires at least 12 months. Not 24 months however, with your other low grade prostate cancer issues. Some doctors like to be more careful about spread.

Here are current NCCN Guidelines in 2025. They now suggest 0 (zero) months of ADT for low intermediate (GG2); 4-6 months for high intermediate (GG3), and 18-36 months for high risk (GG4 and 5). Actually, the footnote suggests ADT + abiraterone for T3b with lymph node involvement.
The meta-analysis suggests:
* 0 months for 1 intermediate factor (PSA 10-20, GG2 or 3, T2b-c)
* 6 months for 2 or more intermediate factors (PSA 10-20, GG2 or 3, T2b-c)
* 12 months for NCCN high risk (PSA >20, GG4 or 5, T3 or 4)
* undefined for NCCN very high risk (2 or more PSA >40, GG4 or 5, T3 or 4)

Keep exercising that defeats the fatigue from ADT.