PC metastatic - stampede trials

Hormone treatment helps slow the spread of PCa and often reduces the size of tumors. It works for varying lengths of time largely due to type of cancer and how the cancer cells respond to the considerable reduction of Testosterone on which they are dependent, at least for a time. The downside of this is that there can be various side effects to varying degrees which a man on HT should be prepared for. Some of these can mean becoming tired more quickly. muscle cramps, hot flushes, enlarged/tender man boobs nipples, loss of libido and possible ED, weight gain and mood swings. You don't know in advance how severely you will be affected and the symptoms can change over time as the body reacts. If the man boobs become painful or very enlarged sometimes a dose of RT is given to help counteract this aspect but generally there is not a lot that can be done to counteract other symptoms. It becomes easy to do very little but advisable to exercise as much as one reasonably can.

Some men on long HT have a break from it as may be considered appropriate (Hormone Holiday).

Trials mean you are better monitored as an individual and may benefit from treatment that is not generally available other than in the trial. If a patient so decides, he can withdraw from the trial if he finds the treatment or symptoms unacceptable. It comes down to priorities and personal choice.