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Lupron Treatment Duration: How long were you on it?

Posted by frankstags @frankstags, Jul 7, 2020

I have been diagnosed with Grade 3 prostate cancer with a 4 + 3 Gleason score of 7. This after having 2 PSA scores last year between 4 and 7. The cancer has not spread to the bones. I have received two Lupron injections 3 months apart and will complete 28 radiation treatments in the next couple of days. No surgery. I have tolerated the Lupron shots well with few but manageable side effects. I have an appointment to receive a third Lupron shot next month. My first PSA test after completing radiation won't be scheduled for 3 months. From researching Lupron, it appears that this is used for advanced stages of prostate cancer. From what I was led to believe, I was not advanced. My question: How long and how many Lupron shots might I need to go through? I will have this discussion with my urologist hopefully before proceeding with the next shot. Thanks for any information provided by the group.

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mike72 | @mike72 | Aug 8, 2023

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/health/prostate-cancer-hormone-blockers.html
Hormone Blockers Can Prolong Life if Prostate Cancer Recurs
I am a healthy 73 yrs old and just finished 2 years of Lupron….no regrets on taking Lupron…it is extending my life…everyone must make there own calculus

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mike72 | @mike72 | Aug 8, 2023

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/health/prostate-cancer-hormone-blockers.html
Hormone Blockers Can Prolong Life if Prostate Cancer Recurs
I read this article often to remind myself that Lupron is helping to extend my life…I am just finishing 2 years of Lupron and am a healthy 73 year old….everyone is different in terms of other health issues…BUT I HAVE NO REGRETS….

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hbp | @hbp | Aug 7, 2023

My Gleason was 9, aggressive PC cancer. My surgeon at UCLA recommended 6 months of Lupron and Erleada before surgery as that softens up the cancer and gives a better chance of removal, then surgery, then 6 more months of those meds. It was aggressive advanced PC, CR, had spread to seminal vehicles. The cancer was and is still bad, but the surgery and 13 months of meds were noticeable but manageable. It was a good decision for me. I am now 1 year post surgery and 6 months after all of the meds have been terminated and doing good and better each day. When the cancer returns I will probably be back on the same meds and maybe more. I don’t dread it as the meds have kept me alive and they were manageable. For aggressive, CR, advanced cancer for someone who has a life expectancy of 10 or more years, I believe that ADT is appropriate, expected and appreciated, (provided that the ADT does not severely effect the quality of life).

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undetectable | @undetectable | Aug 6, 2023
In reply to @npolanco "My husband was recently diagnosed with prostrate cancer . I am trying to learn as much..." + (show)
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My husband was recently diagnosed with prostrate cancer . I am trying to learn as much as I can joined this group and your post jumped at me. It described our similar situation and the dilemma we are going through His PCP immediately said surgery but my husband is going back and forth between surgery vs radiation. PSA was 12 and the Gleason 3+4. Positive effects of a course of action is good to know but I want to know the negatives of either procedure. - surgery /radiation. Your post brought reality to the picture considering his age (76) and quality of life. I need to be prepared for whatever route he chooses. Thank you again

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My husband, 71, was also recently diagnosed, PSA 8, Gleason 4+4, no spread. He decided on surgery because several rad oncologists said he would need 18 -24 months of Lupron. For him that was a dealbreaker. I think with your husband's Gleason score he could have a shorter course of the hormones.

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mikewo | @mikewo | Aug 5, 2023

You may want to read "Radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy in intermediate risk prostate cancer." It says there is no advantage in Biochemical relapse free survival in patients older than 70 years old. Since you are 84 I thought you might want to read the article. You are much more likely to die from the Lupron than the prostate cancer.

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smitty38 | @smitty38 | Aug 5, 2023

I wonder why the age and general health of a person diagnosed with PC never seems to be mentioned as a factor for HT. In my case, at 84 I completed 28 days of radiation, started on HT about a month before the radiation. My care plan recommends a minimum of 18 months of HT, but suggests 24 months would be idea. For my age, my health is fair to good.

The question I asked the urologist - can an argument be made, because of my age, am I exposing myself to another risk? i.e. Injury from a fall because of my weakened muscles as the result of HT. (plus losing muscle strength because of aging) This would of course make my EOL experience more challenging. It seems to me, a patients age and general health don't seem to be part of the calculus. Your thoughts...?

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cesar52 | @cesar52 | Aug 5, 2023
In reply to @robiveson "Thank you for your reply. I’m in the process of buying a new house for my..." + (show)
Profile picture for robiveson @robiveson

Thank you for your reply. I’m in the process of buying a new house for my family. I would like to be able to enjoy it with them for a while. I’m looking forward to the Detroit Lions going to a Super Bowl 😀

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Glad you are a Lions fan. I trained in Endocrinology at Henry Ford Hospital and I enjoyed my time in Detroit. Keep going. Trust God and stay positive. It’s a mind game sometimes fighting cancer.

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robiveson | @robiveson | Aug 5, 2023
In reply to @cesar52 "Do not give up. Fight for yourself and your family. They need you around. You are..." + (show)
Profile picture for cesar52 @cesar52

Do not give up. Fight for yourself and your family. They need you around. You are young. Do not think about mistakes. That’s in the rear view mirror . Be positive and hope for the best. We all fight. I will pray for you. And others too. Never lose hope.

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Thank you for your reply. I’m in the process of buying a new house for my family. I would like to be able to enjoy it with them for a while. I’m looking forward to the Detroit Lions going to a Super Bowl 😀

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cesar52 | @cesar52 | Aug 4, 2023
In reply to @robiveson "I have been taking Lipton since July of 2022. The treatments were once every four weeks...." + (show)
Profile picture for robiveson @robiveson

I have been taking Lipton since July of 2022. The treatments were once every four weeks. Followed by a Zometa injection every three months. I haven’t really had any problems with this treatment regimen. I take vitamin supplements along with extra calcium. I also take 160mg of Xtandi daily for a year now. I was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer. I had lost about 100lbs and was experiencing very bad back pain. I attributed this to my work schedule which was very difficult. I had a prostectomy back in December of 2017. This was followed up by 30 rounds of radiation therapy in 2019. However when the pandemic hit, I let my treatments, and follow-up’s fall behind. My family told me to get a check-up for the better part of a year. When it got to the point of where I was having trouble with my balance and felt tired all the time. I knew I had to do something. Unfortunately the cancer had spread to several areas of my bone structure. It’s been a year now with the current treatment I’m undergoing. My psa is now .02 for the last two months. And my overall health has improved. I still feel weak at times. But I’m still here. Trying to live for my wife and kids. I have retired on disability. My employer still pays my medical insurance but, I don’t know how much longer. I know medical costs have exceeded $200k. The Extandi for the past year has been around $124,000. Cancer really blows. I’m 59yrs old, I expected a whole different life. I’m not giving up hope. I will keep on doing what I have been doing, and hoping for the best.

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Do not give up. Fight for yourself and your family. They need you around. You are young. Do not think about mistakes. That’s in the rear view mirror . Be positive and hope for the best. We all fight. I will pray for you. And others too. Never lose hope.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 4, 2023
In reply to @ronmcq1 "I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March. I have cancer in my pelvic region on..." + (show)
Profile picture for ronmcq1 @ronmcq1

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in March. I have cancer in my pelvic region on both sides and a small spot on my sternum. My first shot of Lupron was in May. My second is coming up. However, his morning at my doctor's appointment, the nurse tells me I will have to be on Lupron the rest of my life or until it no longer works.
Has anyone else been told they will be on Lupron for the rest of their life?

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Hi @ronmcq1, I add my welcome along with @hbp and @kujhawk1978's helpful posts.

I moved your question about how long to take Lupron and if it is a treatment for life to this existing discussion:
- Lupron Treatment Duration: How long were you on it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lupron-treatment-duration/

I did this so you can see the previous experiences other members have shared and connect with them easily.

Lupron is a treatment that generates a lot of question in the journey with prostate cancer. When I used the Search in the group, I found over 60 Lupron-related discussions. I hope they are helpful as you continue to share your experiences.

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