Gleason 9: ADT before radiation

I've had a similar experience to @drj . Except my Radiation Oncologist did answer the question of numbers using ADT vs not using it.

My history is a little different though, RP followed by "biochemical recurrence", maybe? My PSA was high enough second time around to meet the clinical definition of BCR but we decided to be aggressive and treat with radiation and ADT. I'm on Orgovyx which is a newer oral version. I've never taken Lupron so I can't compare it, but, it stinks as well. All the same side effects. I've been on it for a full year. I'm 61.

My RO told me that, in my situation, ADT provided 3%-5% better outcomes. That's pretty much a quote. You'll be able to locate other numbers in various studies. My surgeon who is sort of the "quarterback" for the treatment wants me on it for 2 years. The RO (same practice) says 6 mos is plenty. The RO essentially says the reason for the ADT during radiation is that it weakens the cancer so that the radiation is more effective. I asked if it actually killed cancer cells and he tells me "no."

I research as best as I can, I can't find anything that claims ADT kills cancer cells.
Harvard Medical "Hormone therapy, formally known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), deprives prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which they need in order to grow and spread."

Next appointment at the surgeon, (quarterly post PSA test visit) I ask why two years? He tells me we want to kill any cancer cells that might be left in my body. Ya can't make this stuff up. These guys are all in the same medical group.

My next blood test is going to be a full panel test, we'll see what else the ADT is doing to my system and likely make a decision then. If it isn't doing too much damage to liver, sugar etc.. I may gut it out.

I have two friends who had PCa years ago, had radiation without ADT and are doing fine. Who can tell? One was a Gleason 6 the other 7 like myself.

My feeble brain at this point goes to this....
My current psa is

I've had a similar experience to @drj . Except my Radiation Oncologist did answer the question of numbers using ADT vs not using it.

My history is a little different though, RP followed by "biochemical recurrence", maybe? My PSA was high enough second time around to meet the clinical definition of BCR but we decided to be aggressive and treat with radiation and ADT. I'm on Orgovyx which is a newer oral version. I've never taken Lupron so I can't compare it, but, it stinks as well. All the same side effects. I've been on it for a full year. I'm 61.

My RO told me that, in my situation, ADT provided 3%-5% better outcomes. That's pretty much a quote. You'll be able to locate other numbers in various studies. My surgeon who is sort of the "quarterback" for the treatment wants me on it for 2 years. The RO (same practice) says 6 mos is plenty. The RO essentially says the reason for the ADT during radiation is that it weakens the cancer so that the radiation is more effective. I asked if it actually killed cancer cells and he tells me "no."

I research as best as I can, I can't find anything that claims ADT kills cancer cells.
Harvard Medical "Hormone therapy, formally known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), deprives prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which they need in order to grow and spread."

Next appointment at the surgeon, (quarterly post PSA test visit) I ask why two years? He tells me we want to kill any cancer cells that might be left in my body. Ya can't make this stuff up. These guys are all in the same medical group.

My next blood test is going to be a full panel test, we'll see what else the ADT is doing to my system and likely make a decision then. If it isn't doing too much damage to liver, sugar etc.. I may gut it out.

I have two friends who had PCa years ago, had radiation without ADT and are doing fine. Who can tell? One was a Gleason 6 the other 7 like myself.

My feeble brain at this point goes to this....
My current psa is

web265,

3%-5% is statistically irrelevant so ignore that data.

You won't find that ADT kills cancer cells because it doesn't. ADT reduces testosterone to zilch. Testosterone fuels our prostate cancer thus you remove the fuel from the fire. I was a Gleason 10 so I took everything they threw at me. Yes, Lupron messed me up bad. Walking is difficult. I'm on Physical Therapy now and last week I fell and badly injured my leg which became infected. Just lovely!! If you can avoid Lupron I would give that serious consideration.

I did not have Lupron , but what I did have is a PSA of 10.2 and my radiation oncologist, based on my biopsy, decipher report and my MRI said, although it is part of the recommendation for a PSA over 10, she suggested radiation only. My psa is going down so far to 4.6 now after completing radiation in February. I personally have a real hard time with the concepts of Monitoring as their does not seem to be any real science behind how fast something can grow in the prostate and beyond so I wanted whatever I had out and treated right away. I am 70.

web265,

3%-5% is statistically irrelevant so ignore that data.

You won't find that ADT kills cancer cells because it doesn't. ADT reduces testosterone to zilch. Testosterone fuels our prostate cancer thus you remove the fuel from the fire. I was a Gleason 10 so I took everything they threw at me. Yes, Lupron messed me up bad. Walking is difficult. I'm on Physical Therapy now and last week I fell and badly injured my leg which became infected. Just lovely!! If you can avoid Lupron I would give that serious consideration.

What was your pathology report from Prostatectomy?

I've had a similar experience to @drj . Except my Radiation Oncologist did answer the question of numbers using ADT vs not using it.

My history is a little different though, RP followed by "biochemical recurrence", maybe? My PSA was high enough second time around to meet the clinical definition of BCR but we decided to be aggressive and treat with radiation and ADT. I'm on Orgovyx which is a newer oral version. I've never taken Lupron so I can't compare it, but, it stinks as well. All the same side effects. I've been on it for a full year. I'm 61.

My RO told me that, in my situation, ADT provided 3%-5% better outcomes. That's pretty much a quote. You'll be able to locate other numbers in various studies. My surgeon who is sort of the "quarterback" for the treatment wants me on it for 2 years. The RO (same practice) says 6 mos is plenty. The RO essentially says the reason for the ADT during radiation is that it weakens the cancer so that the radiation is more effective. I asked if it actually killed cancer cells and he tells me "no."

I research as best as I can, I can't find anything that claims ADT kills cancer cells.
Harvard Medical "Hormone therapy, formally known as androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), deprives prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which they need in order to grow and spread."

Next appointment at the surgeon, (quarterly post PSA test visit) I ask why two years? He tells me we want to kill any cancer cells that might be left in my body. Ya can't make this stuff up. These guys are all in the same medical group.

My next blood test is going to be a full panel test, we'll see what else the ADT is doing to my system and likely make a decision then. If it isn't doing too much damage to liver, sugar etc.. I may gut it out.

I have two friends who had PCa years ago, had radiation without ADT and are doing fine. Who can tell? One was a Gleason 6 the other 7 like myself.

My feeble brain at this point goes to this....
My current psa is