1. < Prostate Cancer

Why isn't hormone therapy used in all prostate cancers?

Posted by upnort @upnort, Feb 15, 2022

An observation and insightful comment by one group member here: "Lupron/Eligard both shrink the prostate and stops the production of testosterone which feeds the growth of prostate cancer." If so, why don't all treatment options of prostate cancer include hormone therapy? I am waiting on a second opinion for my treatment (Lupron + EBRT) from Mayo hoping I can do without the often dreaded side effects of hormone therapy. I realize one size doesn't fit all, but why is hormone therapy used in some prostate cancers and not in others?

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hbp | @hbp | Mar 29, 2023

I was on lupron for 13 months in a UCLA Jansen clinical trial. It was noticeable but not terrible. It is my understanding that it slows down the cancer and gives you more time. After a good while it stops working and you have to be treated with something else and the something else is determined by your medical team based upon your tests and condition. I am a believer in being a very good listener and following what my experts recommend providing that I still have a quality of life.

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mikewo | @mikewo | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @hbp "I would like to read your doctors authorities that hormone treatment has no or little effect..." + (show)
@hbp

I would like to read your doctors authorities that hormone treatment has no or little effect on survival It is a very common treatment for most PC and it is often given with other treatments even chemo. If I can read some authorities on this I will discuss with my UCLA doctors.

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Google the article "Radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy in intermediate risk prostate cancer. "I am put in the unfavorable risk intermediate group because I had two cores from the same area that were 4-3 as others that were 3-4 from the area of the lesion. I had 4 positive cores out of 30 cores taken due to my 100 gram prostate, I also have a PSA of 2.9, and classified as T1C. The article states that if you are over 70 years old there is no difference in biochemical reoccurrence if you don't have ADT. Another article is Proton Bean Therapy Alone for Intermediate- or High-Risk Prostate Cancer: An Institutional Prospective Cohort Study. These may answer your questions. I am scheduled for Proton beam 5 sessions and have my planning visit next week. I am over 70.

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chuckjackson | @chuckjackson | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @swdg "I have no experience with radiation or hormone therapy. I just happened to see this (below)..." + (show)

Thank you for the article. I am in the process of deciding between surgery and radiation. If radiation, then the decision to go with ADT. My doctor mentioned these studies, and also the fact that there are studies underway in other countries that question the need for ADT. It looks like Lupron has been a challenge for many Patients.

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stebro | @stebro | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @cshap "Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll..." + (show)
@cshap

Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll do it monthly n after two months found out about orgavix the oral tab n allows test to return much quicker n thank God I did. After two months of lupron n the 5 months of orgavix it came back within two weeks, actually higher than it’s ever been at 585 but so did the psa to 6, so got back on the adt along with zytiga n psa went back down to.76. After a month I found out about ivermectin n did 6 doses of 48mg/ every other day n my psa dropped to its lowest ever at.11, proceeded to get off adt n zytiga, test returned after two weeks but the psa remained low below 1, @.90…, I’m taking my second dose of ivermectin this time 3 days concurrently @42 mg/ daily and will keep you posted..

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I have not heard of Ivermectin used in treatment of prostate cancer. How did you find out about it? I'd like to learn more.

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1 reply
gdimond | @gdimond | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @cshap "Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll..." + (show)
@cshap

Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll do it monthly n after two months found out about orgavix the oral tab n allows test to return much quicker n thank God I did. After two months of lupron n the 5 months of orgavix it came back within two weeks, actually higher than it’s ever been at 585 but so did the psa to 6, so got back on the adt along with zytiga n psa went back down to.76. After a month I found out about ivermectin n did 6 doses of 48mg/ every other day n my psa dropped to its lowest ever at.11, proceeded to get off adt n zytiga, test returned after two weeks but the psa remained low below 1, @.90…, I’m taking my second dose of ivermectin this time 3 days concurrently @42 mg/ daily and will keep you posted..

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Thanks for the information. So sad that the doctors don't tell you how bad the shot is and the cost of it. I wanted to just do the radiation but was told no.

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gdimond | @gdimond | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @cshap "Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll..." + (show)
@cshap

Hi George, they wanted me to do the 3 month and I told them nope I’ll do it monthly n after two months found out about orgavix the oral tab n allows test to return much quicker n thank God I did. After two months of lupron n the 5 months of orgavix it came back within two weeks, actually higher than it’s ever been at 585 but so did the psa to 6, so got back on the adt along with zytiga n psa went back down to.76. After a month I found out about ivermectin n did 6 doses of 48mg/ every other day n my psa dropped to its lowest ever at.11, proceeded to get off adt n zytiga, test returned after two weeks but the psa remained low below 1, @.90…, I’m taking my second dose of ivermectin this time 3 days concurrently @42 mg/ daily and will keep you posted..

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Thanks for the information. I wanted to only do the 3 month shot and was no they do not recommend that. So sad that the doctors don't tell you all the facts.

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gdimond | @gdimond | Mar 30, 2023

Thanks for the information. So sad that the doctors don't tell you all the facts

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gdimond | @gdimond | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @tlems "I couldn't agree more with your statement. I received my one and only dose of Lupron..." + (show)
@tlems

I couldn't agree more with your statement. I received my one and only dose of Lupron in June of 2022 and was not given all the information in regard to how life changing this would be. Although the Radiation/ oncologist strongly encouraged me to continue with the Lupron injections I opted to stop after the first dose. The combination of hot flashes, mood swings and overall depression turned me into someone I didn't even recognize. Never again would I agree to that course of treatment. The radiation (31) sessions was difficult but it has made a significant difference so far. Not a time in my life I would choose to repeat if given a choice. My psa 3months after radiation was 0.11 and now after another 3 months is at 0.03. I feel great and pray each day that I will never have to go through that again! Best of luck to all those that follow in these steps.

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Thanks for the information. Was it a 6 month shot you got? And how long did it last?

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @stebro "I have not heard of Ivermectin used in treatment of prostate cancer. How did you find..." + (show)
@stebro

I have not heard of Ivermectin used in treatment of prostate cancer. How did you find out about it? I'd like to learn more.

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@stebro, Researchers are studying Ivermectin to see if it may be used as an anti-cancer drug and early studies show promise. Please note that this research is in the early stages (mice studies) and has not yet been tested in human trials. Ivermectin is not a proven standard treatment for prostate cancer.

Ivermectin combined with other chemotherapy drugs or targeted drugs is being studied in early clinical trials and shows promise in patients for whom conventional chemotherapy has not worked in some cancer types. It may be effective against drug-resistant cancer cells.

– Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an antiparasitic drug https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7505114/

IMPORTANT
It is NOT safe to take ivermectin that is commercially available. Please talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications or supplements that claim to fight or cure cancer.

Note Mayo Clinic Disclaimer (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/disclaimer/)
All information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect, such as messages, images, advice, URLs, and any other material, is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

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1 reply
tlems | @tlems | Mar 30, 2023
In reply to @gdimond "Thanks for the information. Was it a 6 month shot you got? And how long did..." + (show)
@gdimond

Thanks for the information. Was it a 6 month shot you got? And how long did it last?

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Yes it was supposed to be. But the side effects lasted closer to 9 months. Just happy that all the bad side effects have subsided. Best wishes to a full recovery!

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