18 is the new 24.

July 25, 2017. How long is long enough when it comes to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for high risk prostate cancer? Longer duration ADT (24 months or 36 months) improves survival, but most men really dislike the longer side effects. Especially when they can last for 2-3 years. A randomized trial presented in abstract form at this year’s ASCO GU conference compared 36 months (standard) with 18 months (short...er) ADT for men with high risk prostate cancer. At 10 years, there was no difference in survival but a huge difference in quality of life. What do we mean by huge? Well, it persisted across “6 scales and 13 items.” We don’t have the biochemical failure data yet, but this study will likely help lower the bar for ADT....and some major quality-diminishing side effects.