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Hormone therapy only.....

User
Posted 26 Jul 2025 at 09:03

Hello 👋🏻 

All details are on my profile...

I just wondered how many of you are only having HT therapy? Seems like this will be my partners treatment plan. He started on Degarelix injection 3 weeks ago, next one on the first Aug, meeting with oncology end of August and plan appears to include adding Abireratone into the mix. 

The Urologist mentioned chemo when we met him on diagnosis but following mdt with oncology this appears to be off the table for now. Can chemo be introduced later if needed? 

Thank you♥️

User
Posted 26 Jul 2025 at 22:43

Hormone therapy alone is offered to men who are metastatic, and also Degarelix is most often used in this scenario.

Chemo can be offered up-front (soon after you start hormone therapy). It can also be used later, regardless if you had it up-front or not.

Research shows that chemo is most effective in terms of extending life when used up-front with hormone therapy and Abiraterone (or other enhanced hormone therapy) - this is called triple therapy. However, it has a risk of causing side effects, and some can be permanent, so it can reduce quality of life, and some men chose not to for this reason. Some people find they can't have chemo later, because they're older by then, and may have acquired some other medical conditions which prevent chemo being used. In practice, the use of chemo drops off quite significantly from the age of 70 for this reason. You should be able to discuss these options with your oncologist and influence what you think is appropriate for your case, and hear why they think a particular regime is best for you.

If he has significant issues with the Degarelix injections (attending for them, or injection site issues), there is a daily tablet Relugolix/Orgovyx which can be given instead (at least in England - I don't know its status in the other countries). Ask your oncologist if that's relevant.

Edited by member 26 Jul 2025 at 22:45  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Jul 2025 at 14:26

Hi,  

From what I've seen on YouTube doctors have different strategies.  Some like to apply drugs in sequence, a gentle approach.  Some like to use a harder approach with simultaneous drugs.  It can also depend on the patient's tolerance, preferences and their case.  The tougher approach can be eased off.  So chemo could be used earlier or later. 

I've also read that chemo for prostrate cancer isn't as toxic as chemo for other cases.  I'd have thought the doctor would advise their strategy if you ask.

It seems there is a preferred sequence.

On YouTube Dr Scholz, US, Prostate Cancer Research Centre, is very good he has a more positive style than some, see the link below although there are a lot of videos to go through:

https://www.youtube.com/@ThePCRI

There are videos on his tougher approach I think he calls it the triple treatment or something like that.

All the best.

p.s. I'm replying because it has no other replies

 

 

Edited by member 26 Jul 2025 at 19:48  | Reason: Not specified

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User
Posted 26 Jul 2025 at 14:26

Hi,  

From what I've seen on YouTube doctors have different strategies.  Some like to apply drugs in sequence, a gentle approach.  Some like to use a harder approach with simultaneous drugs.  It can also depend on the patient's tolerance, preferences and their case.  The tougher approach can be eased off.  So chemo could be used earlier or later. 

I've also read that chemo for prostrate cancer isn't as toxic as chemo for other cases.  I'd have thought the doctor would advise their strategy if you ask.

It seems there is a preferred sequence.

On YouTube Dr Scholz, US, Prostate Cancer Research Centre, is very good he has a more positive style than some, see the link below although there are a lot of videos to go through:

https://www.youtube.com/@ThePCRI

There are videos on his tougher approach I think he calls it the triple treatment or something like that.

All the best.

p.s. I'm replying because it has no other replies

 

 

Edited by member 26 Jul 2025 at 19:48  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Jul 2025 at 22:43

Hormone therapy alone is offered to men who are metastatic, and also Degarelix is most often used in this scenario.

Chemo can be offered up-front (soon after you start hormone therapy). It can also be used later, regardless if you had it up-front or not.

Research shows that chemo is most effective in terms of extending life when used up-front with hormone therapy and Abiraterone (or other enhanced hormone therapy) - this is called triple therapy. However, it has a risk of causing side effects, and some can be permanent, so it can reduce quality of life, and some men chose not to for this reason. Some people find they can't have chemo later, because they're older by then, and may have acquired some other medical conditions which prevent chemo being used. In practice, the use of chemo drops off quite significantly from the age of 70 for this reason. You should be able to discuss these options with your oncologist and influence what you think is appropriate for your case, and hear why they think a particular regime is best for you.

If he has significant issues with the Degarelix injections (attending for them, or injection site issues), there is a daily tablet Relugolix/Orgovyx which can be given instead (at least in England - I don't know its status in the other countries). Ask your oncologist if that's relevant.

Edited by member 26 Jul 2025 at 22:45  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 27 Jul 2025 at 07:29

Thanks Andy ☺️ 

User
Posted 27 Jul 2025 at 07:30

Thanks Peter ☺️ 

User
Posted 27 Jul 2025 at 17:14

Reply to Andy62

'Some people find they can't have chemo later, because they're older by then, and may have acquired some other medical conditions which prevent chemo being used. In practice, the use of chemo drops off quite significantly from the age of 70 for this reason.'  Andy62

The Specialist Nurse said if I do have osteoporosis then it could limit what hormone treatments I can be offered.  Now the above has possibly introduced another.

More to look up. Cheers

 
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