Hello, newbie here, trying to decide if I can avoid the HT as part of RT
I have localised T2 PCa with Gleason 3+4, PSA 22, all contained within the prostate, not in lymph nodes and no PNI; biopsy done in March 2023
I have had 3 MRIs, first pre-Covid measured at 50cc, second post-Covid at 38cc, this month at 42cc; the biopsy surgeon remarked that it was 'quite small'. No discernible waterworks issues and no noticeable deterioration since my first PSA test in May 2019
It's been a while coming (denial) but I've finally accepted that I need treatment and am opting for RT but there's a big question mark for me about the HT. Both the MDT and the radiologist are saying I should have it but that seems to be purely on the basis of NICE guidelines, risk algorithms and 'because that's the way we do it'. I asked the radiologist how many men out of 100 has she treated without HT before RT and she said none. I asked if she would treat me without HT and I received a quite reluctant yes. I don't feel that I'm being treated as an individual
The radiologist is also suggesting that I have 7.5 weeks of RT to also zap the lymph nodes even though there's no cancer there (apparently there may be microscopic traces); it seems to be based on new NICE guidelines
I don't want HT because of the side effects and because there are enough of them with RT. I understand that HT is designed to shrink the prostate pre-RT and to stop the cancer cells growing but the radiologist admitted that mine wasn't 'massive' and my cancer appears to be slow-growing
My view is that I'd be prepared to have HT if it was wholly necessary and whilst it may help the RT be more effective it won't necessarily impact the risk of recurrence
My question (yes, finally) is: are there any people here who have had RT without HT and did they have any regrets afterwards?
Another factor is time. With HT I wouldn't have the RT for probably 5-6 months whereas without it would be weeks so I just feel that I want to get on with that
BTW the HT they are recommending is bicalutamide and as that does cause breast swelling, they are offering a small dose of RT on my chest beforehand which apparently has a 1 in 100 chance of resulting in breast cancer so for me another argument against
Sorry, that's a little longer than I anticipated so hope you can pick out the important bits