Thursday, December 4, 2008

Removal of Testes to cure prostate cancer

Removal of Testes to cure prostate cancer?
Hi, My father who is 71 years old is undergoing a surgery for removal of testes to control prostate cancer. If someone or their relatives have undergone surgery for removal of testes to control prostate cancer, may please share their post surgery experience, side effects and patients beviour.

Any suggestions would be very helpfull. Thanks.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Sorry, I've never heard of having the testes removed for prostate cancer, unless the cancer has spread. I'm only aware of having the prostate removed, which can cause incontinence, and erectile problems.
2 :
An orichectomy (surgical removal of the testes) will stop the production of testosterone, which prostate cancer cells need to grow, survive, and multiply. There are drug treatments available that trick the testes into not making testosterone, and this is reversable once the medication is discontinued. Unfortunatly, the medication is expensive (about $2000 for a 3-month injection) and Medicare doesn't cover but one of these meds, and that med is not one that is the most effective -- IMHO. Hopefully, your father's physician has also explained that there is something called an adrenal gland that sits on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands are responsible for about 10% of a male's testosterone production. Just removing the testes' testosterone will not remove all testosterone production in the body. And removal of the adrenal glands are not an option; it has been tried with disastrous results. The surgical procedure you are asking about is a very simple one; usually done on an out-patient basis. There are a lot of side-effects to loss of testosterone production. While my SO was on the chemical testosterone treatment he became very tired, had difficulty maintaining muscle mass, could get emotional & weepy. His skin also became very dry, he had hot flashes, his sleep was messed up, and he lost all interest in anything sexual. But it appears that we succeeded in starving the little beggers. There hasn't been any evidence of them in the year since he went off the hormone therapy. There are several meds available that block the testosterone receptors on the prostate cancer cells. I'm not familiar with their cost. The one that my SO took was Casodex. It is also in trials for mono-therapy (use alone). I belong to an online tribe of women who have husbands, SOs, fathers, brothers, friends who have been diagnosed with PCa. I've included the URL... please join us!!!

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