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My husband just had a prostatectomy and was later advised that the cancer had spead to his lymph nodes. He was given the option of hormonal therapy but he is thinking of doing nothing because of the side effects that are part of the therapy.. Is there anyone out there who is in the same situation. My husband would rather die of the disease of cancer than to experience impotence,hot flashes, osteoporosis, ect...
I have been on ADT for 18 months and have failed. My PSA is rising. My cancer was Dx late and I did not have the option of surgery. So for me the choice was clear. Death or ADT. ADT if it is used should be used as ADT3. After 12 months of undetectable PSA your husband can go off ADT and just take Avodat. Many men have done this and have been off ADT for several years.
That would be my suggestion.
Is your husband's Bone Scan clear, or does he have bone mets?
I had 6 months of hormone therapy with radiation after a failed prostatectomy. The side effects are not fun but at least I'm alive. The big problems were fatigue, hot flashes and impotence. Despite still having the side effects after stopping ADT, I feel on top of the world (relatively speaking). It's better than a painful death. Your husband may want to see a mental health professional to discuss his issues.
Hormone therapy or radiation is possible. With hormone therapy, yes, you are going to have side effects and loss of erectile function but this may have already occurred from the surgery. Even though there are many side effects to ADT (androgen deprivation therapy), these side effects are generally reversible--it just takes time. I took ADT for 6 months. I am now off the ADT for 5 months and I am still waiting for the testosterone to come back. According to my urologist it can take upto a year with unfortunately, a small number of men never getting the testosterone back but according to him this is occurs in much older men than me, who is 61 years old.
Radiation can be use but it can cause damage to many of the surrounding tissues such as the bladder, rectal wall,nerve bundles, bladder sphincter etc.
