Dear Big Sis
From our experience, we were told that the HT shrinks the tumor making RT more effective and people are waiting 3 to 6 months now before it starts as the norm.
One point to look at is making sure that he gets onto the best RT machine available at the hospital, for us it was an IMRT but understand that this has been superseded now, perhaps someone else could comment on this.
Your information about Stampede sounds correct. It would depend if your brother is eligible for it, as a few other medical tests and questionnaires would need to be done. He may get the control arm ( which includes RT if he would be getting that as standard treatment anyway) or he may get to try the new drugs that you mention such as abiraterone and or Enzi.
In terms of the new results upon the chemo, I think that applied to men whose cancer had spread to the bones ( it gave them an average of 22 additional months) from what I understand the Stampede trial is already testing it with a group of men with cancer staged like your brother, to see if it offers them any advantage. it may take some time for this result to come through, so probably is not available at this time, but is certainly something that we will be asking about at next appointment.
It really depends if your brother has bone involvement, which I understand that he hasn't at the moment? It seems vague to say that they are unsure about this due to PSA, again others could help on this point?
The good thing about the trial is that you get many additional appointments and blood tests. I would suggest that you ask about it and speak to a nurse as soon as you can, you will then get a lot of information before the next appointment in 3 months time.
How great that your brother has got you in his corner.
I wish you all the best.
Alison