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Side Effects after Hormone and Radio Therapies

pollyj
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My husband was 74 when diagnosed with PC in October 2023.
The following is information from the consultant:

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Gleason 3+4 prostate cancer predominantly on right anterior biopsy cores.
Significant Gleason 6 on the left side PSA 14.6 DRE today T2c
The amount of pattern 4 is relatively small.
T2 N0 M0 and organ confined to the prostate

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HT started February 2024 and RT of 20 sessions during Jan-Feb 2025.
HT stopped after the RT, therefore, no treatment since Feb 2025.

As someone who has a deep phobia about illness, particularly cancer, and hospitals, he has gone through this procedure remarkably well. However, he has not attended follow-ups - he is so frightened in case the condition has worsened, spread, or some other form of cancer is found, he does not think he would be able to cope.
He experiences deep fear, anxiety, worry, stress, although this is getting less now.
Beer/cider help to give him some feel of 'normality'. He is conscious of alcohol consumption and controls that.
He has Valium to help with this sometimes but is aware that this is addictive, so he takes only on 'dry' days with no alcohol - maybe after 7-15 days.

On the positive side, his sleeps are better now, with no horrid dreams; and as he cannot do anything physically for more than a few minutes, much of his time at home is watching various TV channels ... thank heaven there is a lot of choice these days! so we tend to go out most afternoons for 3-7 hours depending on distance; it gives some feel of normality and it is helping.

Side Effects:
Of course, libido disappeared, but there have been intermittent signs that something is coming back.
Occasional hot flushes, physical energy is extremely low, and has horrific mental goings-on.
Around Aug/Sep, his breasts started to hurt.
The right breast has not hurt for a few months, but has started a little lately, and the left breast is very tender.
His testicles or perineum ache from time to time.

Q: The consultant stated T2; but with the G 3+4 on the right, would that be correct?
Q: Are these side effects due to his testosterone returning?

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    Sorry, I missed some info from a different consultant:

    DRE: 40g prostate, T3 on the right

  • Hello and thank you for your post.

    I am sorry to hear about how your husband is effected mentally and emotionally and I can understand you wanting to ask questions about his condition. However, as we are nurses and not part of his care we are unable to give a medical opinion.

    We do have information on our website on living with prostate cancer and its treatment side affects which may be helpful to read, but otherwise he does need to see/speak to someone in his team.

    If your husband had a specialist nurse (cns) it would be good to call them and explain the situation. You could also ask that your husband has a telephone appointment at first so he doesn't need to travel to the hospital. He can then be properly assessed, and they can comment about how he is currently feeling. They would also be able to answer any questions that you have about his cancer staging, we also have a webpage on prostate cancer stages if useful.

    His mental health needs to be addressed to help him, regardless of the prostate cancer, so it may be good to also speak with his GP.

    It can be incredibly hard caring for someone, I hope you also have some support for yourself at this time. If you would like to talk things through with our nurses the number is 0808 800 4040. Lines are open mon-fri, 9-5.

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thanks Sarah

    It seems to me that there is conflicting information between two consultants.

    The 1st states T2, another states T3 for G 3+4, when according to tables, it should be T2.

    He studied psychology from his mid-teens and is quite aware of CBT and tried counceling at the end of 2024 - CBT.  He went through this in  his early 20s, and thought there may be improvements in this technique - there weren't, and it left him feeling worse than before.

    We have also looked at and carried out some NLP techniques, which have helped to some degree, but none of these mental exercises are permanent.

    I have even carried out hypnosis with him, which had a good result at the time, with the post hypnotic suggestion working when he was needing 'something'.
    We haven't done that for a while, as when I've suggested it, the 'feeling' hasn't been right. 

    He has great will-power in controlling his anxiety most times, and can meditate. 

    I spoke with nurses in the onc team and they just say that he will need to go for follow-up.
    I would like him to go, and will try to get him to do that, but the stress he gets with the thought is unimaginable.

    Thank  you again.

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