what is the difference between lupron and casodex

Hi Everyone: In layman terms can you explain what the difference is between these two drugs and how they work? I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

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AGe 54 diagnosed March of 2007
PSA 107

Gleason 8

Stage T2 or T3 (weren't sure was out of prostate capsule)

Bone scan march 2007 and Aug 2008 both clear

ct 2007 clear

started casadex/lupron March of 2007 (casadex only for 4 months)(lupron for 2 yrs)

Aug 2007 had 37 treatments (also radiated lymph nodes)

psa spr 07-107,went down to .34 by Dec 08, March 09 0.7, May 1.54,
Added casodex, PSA Aug 1.19, Psa Dec 09 5.65
Going for Bone scan and Ct Scan, than decide what to do with rising psa

Thanks Zufus you have been very helpful. We were going to ask about avodart when we see the oncologist.

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AGe 54 diagnosed March of 2007
PSA 107

Gleason 8

Stage T2 or T3 (weren't sure was out of prostate capsule)

Bone scan march 2007 and Aug 2008 both clear

ct 2007 clear

started casadex/lupron March of 2007 (casadex only for 4 months)(lupron for 2 yrs)

Aug 2007 had 37 treatments (also radiated lymph nodes)

psa spr 07-107,went down to .34 by Dec 08, March 09 0.7, May 1.54,
Added casodex, PSA Aug 1.19, Psa Dec 09 5.65
Going for Bone scan and Ct Scan, than decide what to do with rising psa

Some of you guys may not realize how the system works in Canada. Kak is tickled to see a doctor period in less than 2 or 3 months. We Americans get a little carried away with decided what type of doctor we want to see and what their qualifications should be.

I think Kak is doing exactly the correct thing, and knowing as much as she can so she can direct the doctor she is given how they would like to proceed.

Good luck Kak !

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Age 58, PSA 4.47 Biopsy - 2/12 cores , Gleason 4 + 5 = 9

Da Vinci, Cleveland Clinic  4/14/09   Nerves spared, but carved up a little.

0/23 lymph nodes involved  pT3a NO MX

Catheter and 2 stints in ureters for 2 weeks .

Neg Margins, bladder neck negative

Living the Good Life, cancer free  6 week PSA  <.03

3 month PSA <.01 (different lab)

5 month PSA <.03 (undetectable)

6 Month PSA <.01

1 pad a day, no progress on ED.  Trimix injections

Medved - give you credit - you answered the question directly, it wasn't my question but I learned something new from it myself

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Age: 57, 56 dx, PSA: 7/07 5.8, 7/08 12.3, 9/08 14.5, 10/08 16.3
3rd Biopsy: 9/08 - 7/7 Positive, 40-90% Cancer, Gleason 4+3
Open RP: 11/08, Rht nerves saved, 4 days in hospt, on catheters for 63 days, 5th one out 1/09
Path Rpt: Gleason 3+4, pT2c, 42g, 20% cancer, 1 pos margin

Incontinence:  1 Month     ED:  Non issue at any point post surgery
Post Surgery  PSA: 2/09 .05,5/09 .1, 6/09 .11. 8/09 .16
Latest: 7/9 met 2 rad. oncl, 7/9 cath #6 - blockage, 8/9 2nd corr surgery, 8/9 cath #7 out  38 days, 9/9 - met 3rd rad. oncl., mapped  9/9, 10/1 - 3rd corr. surgery - SP cath/hard dialation, 10/5 - began IMRT SRT - 39 sess/72 gys cath #8 33 days, 11/2- SP Cath #9 in place

With PCa there are no set rules in stone, many people have used casodex as 'mono' therapy with great results (atleast for some decent period of time). Brother A. (on this forum) is currently on mono therapy and has done so well, currently about 1 yr., he is testing the waters and going off the drug and monitoring and may resume drug or switch, if and when psa warrants doing something(right now he says doing fabulously well).

Dr. Labrie (Canada-onco doc) was a pioneer in mono therapy with casodex or flutamide drugs. Logically to us it seems more power against PCa is better, especially for higher stats (risky) patients, so ADT2 (combo) or ADT 3 combo seems logically better and may be better...doesn't mean it is necessary to treat all patients with that particular protocol. Then there is high dose casodex going from 50 mg, to 100 or 150 mg levels per day, some have done this with great results. Then there is a drug called "Super Casodex"-MDV3100 the most powerful form of it and some have used it. One has to watchout for being "refractive" on casodex when your PCa becomes androgen independant...then believe it or not, it can actually feed PCa and increase your psa numbers and do you harm...this is why you monitor closely. Knowing more about your biology of PCa is critical as to your prognosis and best longevity, etc. There are many ways to treat PCa and many more drugs than most people realize or know about. Realize there is agenda and profits to be made and sometimes that priority is made first over your best interests and lesser side effects. Believe what you want but I have witnessed plenty first and second hand to confirm my thoughts on such. I have a list of probably 50 drugs known and used on PCa by various onco docs, it is a wild world in PCa. Different paths can have similar results and vice versa, it is literally a jungle and full of inconsistencies and unknowns.

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Youth is wasted on the Young-(W.C. Fields)