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Is 'hormonal downsizing' reason for giving ADT prior to radiation?
Hopefully, "hormonal downsizing" (UT, April 2010, pg. 4) is the only reason that any patient would receive ADT prior to RT for low-risk disease.
Regarding Dr. Thrasher's Perspective on the use of androgen deprivation therapy prior to radiation therapy in low-risk prostate cancer patients ("RT plus ADT in PCa: Is the water clearing?" April 2010.), it is possible that some (or even a majority of) patients with low-risk disease receive ADT for "hormonal downsizing" of significant BPH prior to external beam radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Hopefully, this is the only reason that any patient would receive ADT prior to RT for low-risk disease.
Frank Mayer, MD
Durango, CO
Dr. Thrasher responds:
J. Brantley Thrasher, MD
Kansas City, KS
