Q's about cancer drug Lupron

[FredL]

My dad got prostate cancer in his 70's and had trepidation about going on the drug Lupron because of side effects. He did not want to linger longer without quality of life. One of the side effects listed was developing breasts.  He put off the Lupron until the very end of his life. I seem to take after my dad with height, weight, balding, eye sight, and excellent health (until his Prostate cancer). He did not have gynecomastia.

I'm 57 and I have spent a lot of time weighing the pros and cons of having surgery. My wife has legitimate concerns and we talk about it all the time. This came up today, and here are a couple questions:

-What happens when a man with prostate cancer, who has untreated gynecomastia goes on Lupron? Is there a likelihood his breasts get even bigger?

-If the man had gland removal and lypo in the past, is there any likelihood his gyne will return after going Lupron?

-Let's say the man's gyne is untreated, goes on Lupron and wants to have breast removal. Is this kind of surgery performed on cancer patients?

[Miguel Delgado MD]

FredL,
There are no scientific studies that can answer these questions but I can give my opinion based on my experience.
What happens when a man with prostate cancer, who has untreated gynecomastia goes on Lupron? Is there a likelihood his breasts get even bigger?

There is a likely hood the gynecomastia can develop. 

If the man had gland removal and lypo in the past, is there any likelihood his gyne will return after going Lupron?

Gland excision has been performed therefore the target organ is removed.  If gland remnants are present there could be some growth be minimal as compared if no surgery was performed.

Let's say the man's gyne is untreated, goes on Lupron, and wants to have breast removal. Is this kind of surgery performed on cancer patients?

This surgery is certainly performed on men who developed drug-induced gynecomastia, even with these types of drugs.  If a patient has active cancer involvement and on chemo or radiation, then I would not consider you a surgical candidate until this is finished and cleared for elective surgery by your doctors.

[FredL]

Thank you, Dr Delgado.

In weighing the pros and cons of surgery, this certainly adds to the pros. In addition to ending this miserable affliction I might be doing my future self a big favor. I don't want my final years to be spent fighting a deadly disease while the source of my lifelong misery gets worse and there's nothing I can do about it.

[Miguel Delgado MD]

Good luck, I am sure everything will work out great for you.