hormones therapy
What is the prognosis for a recurrence of prostate cancer being treated with hormone therapy?

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer 5 years ago and had radiotherapy after which he was ok until early this year when his PSA started to rise. It is now 16 and he has been advised to go on permanent hormone treatment. The doctor didn’t tell us how likely this was to work and how long for. He is 63. Does anyone here know anything about it.

I’m not sure what you mean by “work”. I assume you know this will not cure him of the disease. Prostate cancer is typically slow growing and far more often than not managed very well. How aggressive it is, is determined by the Gleason score. This would have been determined at biopsy. Hormone therapy is standard care and works quite well at slowing the disease for long periods of time. It is not unusual to see men with prostate cancer for 15-20 and more. Whenever you realize you have an unanswered question call the doctor and ask over the phone they are used to it – it’s part of the job.

You may also be interested in knowing there is a prostate cancer vaccine due on the market by February. I can’t remember the name but I believe it is coming from a company in New Jersey. From what I was told it works very well, but it is also very expensive $30,000-$40,000. The patient’s tumor cells are used to make the vaccine so it is specific to the patient and their cancer. Over time, which fortunately you husband has, I suspect the price will come down. I also believe this type of vaccine will become available for different types of cancer. I work with a doctor who has had one for brain tumors in clinical trials for a few years now and it has been doing very well. Best wishes.

Hormone Therapy Alternatives (Treating Menopause #3)

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