Yes: Orchiectomy is nearly instantly effective in reducing testosterone levels and can be done as an outpatient. Alternatives include injections (lhrh agonists) to reduce testosterone levels. These are relatively expensive over the long term, but preserve the testicles which is why many men prefer this option. Surgery is permanent whereas shots can be withheld, but permanent may be best with bone mets.
Answered 11/8/2012
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Disagree...: As mentioned orchiectomy is permanent. There are other chemical options, including estrogen therapy as well as drugs which de-stimulate the pituitary from making lh and fsh. No direct proof confirms that testosterone per se is a cause. It may more be 5-dht. Men who lack 5-a-reductase do not get bald or prostate ca. Therefore drugs that block conversion to 5-dht may be used in tandem.
Answered 9/20/2018
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D/W your oncologist: Many options available for metastatic prostate ca- medical and surgical therapy. Orchiectomy can be done and will be for sure decrease testosterone permanently. Anti androgen tx like- Lupron (leuprolide) injection, oral casodex- or the newer oral agents that are more sensitive like x-tandi , abiraterone- are available. Not too forget- vaccine & chemo are available as well.Pls d/w oncologist in detail.
Answered 1/5/2019
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Orchiectomy OK but: The standard of care is an lhrh agonist (such as lupron, zoladex) injection combined with a drug taken by mouth called casodex. The Casodex should be used for a minimum of 1 month and then can be stopped. The advantage is that these injections can be as little as once every 6 months. Alternatively, a drug called Firmagon (degarelix) (an lhrh antagonist) can be given monthly without the casodex.
Answered 9/23/2016
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