Delay in radiotherapy treatment

The HT will keep the cancer from spreading and hopefully should reduce its size 

Do u know for certain if broken through the capsule edge, just read your profile.

I wouldn't worry too much , bit surprising the 6 month wait  although they often do wait some months for HT to work in reducing size to help with RT

Best wishes

Steve 

Good Evening Graham

It's a while to wait I know. From my understanding it's normally 6 months from the start of HT until the start of RT to enable the HT to do it's work (as Grundo said above). I had a 12 month delay in mine due to having an indwelling catheter and having to wait for a TURP operation which was delayed.

I hope this helps, once the HT starts to take effect there should be no further growth/movement of the PC.

Best wishes on your journey - Kind regards - Brian.

Yes Steve, the urology nurse said that the MRI showed cancer coming through the capsule but to what extent, I don't know.

I will ask him about this when I next seem him next week.

Thanks guys for your comments, I really appreciate it.

Graham

Hi Graham

I was on HT for 4 months before RT. I understand your frustration and worry that its taking too long. As others have said the hormones will stop any growth and shrink the cancer - which can only help.

Regards

Stuart

Must admit if I knew it was breaking thru I would be pushing for 3/4 months rather than 6.

I know HT will hold it back but possibly no one knows to what extent.

It's good u are seeing  them next week, I am sure u will voice your concerns.

Good luck 

Steve 

Good Morning Graham

Just to echo something I posted on another thread, my urology nurse said you have to push hard these days for what you need - those that push get. I asked her what the delay was in my waiting for my TURP operation, she said I will ask and lo and behold booking and scheduling were on the telephone within 10 minuets with a date in 3 weeks time!!

It's worth pushing and also confirming you will take any cancellations.

Kind regards - Brian.

Thanks to all replies....

I will definitely raise my wishes/concerns when I see my nurse next week, will report back.

 Graham

Graham,

As others have said, at this stage of your treatment the purpose of the HT is to shrink the prostate ( and the cancer too) to make a smaller target for the RT. It will need a few months to be effective and, with the current situation in the NHS, I think 6 months until your RT starts isn't unreasonable.

In the meantime you need to do your best to keep fit as the side effects of the HT can be quite hard.

Good luck with your treatment.

Thanks Seamus,

As I've said before, I don't understand why they don't prescribe HT earlier when they've identified you have cancer with a high PSA score, in my case 39.

If I'd have started HT 4 months ago when diagnosed then surely that would only be a good thing to start work on my PC?

I know PC is usually slow but every month ticking by will have an impact, surely!

Graham

Grampy74  They won't prescribe HT until they are certain that you aren't having surgery. This is because the hormones will shrink the prostate and make surgery much more difficult. I believe you were considering having surgery for a while so that's probably why you didn't get the HT earlier.