My 71-year-old father recently underwent an open radical prostatectomy with lymph node dissection, which revealed a positive node. He received a Luprodex 22.5 mg injection and was prescribed Bicalutamide for 9 months. Should we be worried about the positive node, what are the chances of cancer recurrence, and is this medication plan sufficient for his treatment?
Finding a positive lymph node means the cancer has spread locally, which increases the risk of recurrence. However, this is manageable. The combination of Luprodex and Bicalutamide is a standard and highly effective hormone therapy designed to starve remaining cancer cells of testosterone. This 9-month plan is a strong, appropriate initial treatment. To ensure it is sufficient, his oncologist will closely monitor his PSA levels. Depending on these results, additional therapies like radiation may be considered later. He is on the correct path, but regular oncological follow-ups are crucial.