Taking a break from Lupron

RedOrb6

just finished a 3 month Lupron shot and now PSA and testerone are virtually 0. This after prostrate removal, radiation and ADT over the past couple of years. When PSA started to rise Lupron was prescribed. It seems to have worked for now. My oncologist recommend continuing Lupron along with something additional. Is it recommendable to break for 3 months and see if PSA stays undetectable? Thx

Josephg

In my non-medical non-professional opinion, you are best to follow your Oncologist's recommendations. At this stage in your PCa journey, they are most qualified to lead the fight on your PCa journey. It seems that you are looking for layperson thoughts regarding your Oncologist's recommendations, and you now have my layperson recommendation.

Also, keep in mind that there are drugs available to minimize the adverse hot flashes effect of Lupron, and your Medical Oncologist would be the best person to discuss with and potentially prescribe to you.

RedOrb6

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721168#Comment_1721168

thx Joseph for your response. I consider all the chats being from laypersons so that’s true. I was hoping someone had some anecdotal advice from others experience. My oncologist laid out multiple options and lets me choose. I know what I prefer but was wondering if someone else did intermittent testosterone deprivation. Thx again

Old Salt

Yes, you should follow your medical oncologist's recommendation. How long to do ADT after 'failed surgery' and follow-up radiation is a hot topic and I certainly don't know the latest recommendations.

I do recall though that it's not uncommon to go for two years of ADT after salvage radiation.

VascodaGama

Back in 2010, after failed RP and failed RT, my doctor put me on ADT with the intent in pursuing an intermittent modality. The period on drugs were regulated by the levels of the PSA and Testosterone.

The protocol was to be on remission levels (<0.05 ng/ml) during at least one year, before stopping the ADT. The drugs were then restarted when the PSA increased to a threshold fixed differently depending on the historical of each case. In mine of a Gleason score of 6 the threshold was a PSA of 2.5. More aggressive cases had a higher threshold of 5.0 ng/ ml.

The goodies of the intermittent modality is that it relevies the side effects and delays any possibility of refractory.

Check what is the protocol used by your doctor in the long run.

Best

VG

RedOrb6

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1721235#Comment_1721235

thank you VG for sharing I respect and appreciate the experiences and information both you and Old Salt have provided over the years. Hope you are well