What to consider before ADT surgery or treatment? What questions shoudl I ask

Before starting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, there are several important factors to consider and questions to ask your doctor. I'll base my suggestions on the NCCN Guidelines for Patients on Prostate Cancer.

From the NCCN Guidelines (PROSTATE-EARLY - Making treatment decisions, pp. 39-41):

Some key considerations before ADT include:

• Your overall health and ability to tolerate potential side effects of ADT like hot flashes, loss of sexual ability, fatigue, muscle loss, etc.

• The risk level and stage of your prostate cancer based on factors like PSA level, Gleason score, and extent of tumor.

• Whether ADT will be used alone or combined with radiation therapy.

• If the goal is curative or to manage advanced disease.

Some suggested questions to ask your doctor:

• What are the potential benefits and risks of ADT for me?
• How long will I need ADT? Is it temporarily or indefinitely?
• What side effects should I expect and how can they be managed?
• Will I need any additional treatment like radiation along with ADT?
• How will ADT impact my quality of life?
• Are there other treatment options I should consider besides ADT?

The guidelines emphasize the importance of understanding your personal values and weighing the goals of treatment against the potential risks and side effects. Don't hesitate to ask any other questions to help you make the most informed decision possible.