Hormone therapy immediately after biopsy ?

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Hi all

I have had a few days when I could not think about this in any depth but today I am overthinking again.

Given the delay in LH's biopsy (5 weeks if it goes ahead on 27th), the large lesion in his prostate (37mm) and the large area touching the capsule wall (40mm), I was wondering if, as soon as the biopsy has been taken, he would be able t start HT treatment.  Originally he wanted to have surgery if he got the choice but now he has changed his mind and would choose radiotherapy, so would he not be starting on HT anyway?  So is this something that we can ask for?

There has been mention of him possibly having a PSMA PET scan.  Would HT affect that?  I so could it be started once the scan was done if they do decide to give him one.  

I am just getting panicky about the length of time thesis taking what is happening inside him.  HT would at least hopefully stop things getting any worse.  Just don't know what is reasonable to ask for.

Many thanks

D4Me

  • If the cancer is high risk and the preferred treatment option is RT/HT its common to start HT immediately following diagnosis.

    I started HT on the day of my diagnosis and left the hospital with a months supply of Bicalutamide which is given as a precursor to hormone injections.

    I'm not sure how HT would affect a PSMA/PET scan but I wouldn't have thought being on HT for a few weeks would make a significant difference. However, I did find the following so it does have a long term effect. Best to talk to your Oncologist about this.

    "Continuous long-term ADT significantly reduces the visibility of castration-sensitive PC on PSMA PET/CT. If the objective is visualization of the maximum possible extent of disease, we recommend referring patients for PSMA PET/CT before starting ADT."

  • Hello  

     Sad as I am I have just read the NICE guidelines for a PSMA PET scan and if his biopsy shows him to be a Gleason 8 or above he meets all the criteria for the scan.

    In view of the delay, the size of his prostate and the MRI result and he’s not after surgery-I would be asking his team to start HT the day of the biopsy.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Thank you Brian. 
    would the HT not interfere with the PET scan if it is neefed? 
    many thanks

  • Thank you.

    i guess we will just have to ask and see what they say. Or see if we can get them to do the psma PET before the results of the biopsy come through and start HT as soon as it is done Shrug‍♀️

  • Hello  

    I don't think it would interfere with the PSMA-PET scan (but I've been wrong before). I've had one during HT!

    Best wishes - Brian.

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  • Would also be to their advantage in regards their stats as it would mean treatment starting within 62 days ....