Medical Oncologist
Monitoring on enzalutamide
Tests and Monitoring — While You Are on Enzalutamide
Enzalutamide is taken every day, but the work of treatment does not stop at the tablet. Regular blood tests and scans let your team track whether the cancer is responding and catch side effects before they become problems.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed August 2026
- PSA is the key marker — Your PSA trend across visits tells your oncologist more than any single reading.
- Liver tests matter too — Enzalutamide is processed by the liver, so liver function is checked from the start.
- Blood pressure is checked each visit — Enzalutamide can raise blood pressure gradually, which is manageable when caught early.
- Imaging follows its own schedule — Scans show what blood tests cannot — whether visible disease has changed in size or spread.
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While you are on enzalutamide, your oncology team will check your PSA at regular intervals to track how the cancer is responding. They will also monitor your liver function, blood pressure, blood count and testosterone. Most are blood tests done at clinic visits, with the schedule set by your oncologist.
Why does enzalutamide need regular monitoring?
Enzalutamide works by blocking the signals that prostate cancer cells use to grow. Monitoring checks whether that is happening as intended, and whether your body is tolerating the medicine.
PSA — prostate-specific antigen — is the main blood marker your team watches. A falling PSA suggests the cancer is responding. A rising PSA across several visits is a signal to reassess the treatment.
The other tests are about safety. Enzalutamide is metabolised by the liver, it can raise blood pressure, and long-term androgen suppression affects bone density and metabolism. Each test covers a different part of that picture.
Before each clinic visit, do these things
- Write down any new symptoms since your last visit — fatigue, dizziness, swelling, changes in memory or mood.
- Note whether you have missed any doses and when.
- List any new medicines, supplements or herbal remedies you have started, including ayurvedic preparations.
- Bring your blood pressure reading if you check it at home.
- Ask for a printed copy of your PSA result each time so you can track the trend yourself.
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Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
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What each test measures and what a change means
| Test | How often | What it tracks | What a change means |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | Regularly — your oncologist sets the interval based on how stable your results are | Prostate cancer activity in the body | A sustained rise across several visits, not a single reading, prompts a review of whether the treatment is still working |
| Liver function tests | At baseline before you start, then at regular visits | Whether enzalutamide is affecting the liver | Elevated results may mean closer monitoring, a dose review, or a temporary pause |
| Full blood count | At baseline, then as your team decides | Red cells, white cells and platelets | Low values can affect energy and influence decisions about continuing treatment |
| Blood pressure | Each clinic visit | Enzalutamide can raise blood pressure over time | Consistently elevated readings need management to protect your heart and kidneys |
| Testosterone | At intervals your oncologist sets | Confirms hormone suppression is maintained if you are also on ADT | A rising level may reduce how well enzalutamide works and prompt a review of your hormone management |
| Imaging — CT, bone scan or PET-CT | When blood results prompt concern, or on a schedule your team sets | Whether visible disease has grown, shrunk or stayed stable | New lesions or clear growth change the treatment conversation; stability over time is a positive sign |
What a typical monitoring visit looks like
Blood is drawn before you see the doctor
Blood is taken first so results are ready during your consultation. This covers PSA, liver function, full blood count and any other markers your team has requested.
Blood pressure is checked at the start
A nurse or technician records your blood pressure. If it is elevated, they may repeat it after a short rest before the doctor reviews it.
Your oncologist reviews the trend, not just today's number
A single PSA reading means little on its own. Your oncologist looks at the direction across visits — falling, stable or rising — and interprets it alongside how you feel and any scan findings.
Side effects and daily life are discussed
Your team will ask specifically about fatigue, dizziness, hot flushes, cognitive changes and mood. These affect quality of life and sometimes guide decisions about your dose or treatment plan.
Imaging is arranged when blood tests alone are not enough
If your PSA is rising or your symptoms suggest change, a scan gives your team a direct view. At CION, PET-CT and other imaging is coordinated through partner imaging centres — you do not need to arrange this yourself.
The next visit and tests are confirmed before you leave
Before you go, confirm the date of your next appointment and which blood tests need to be done in advance so results are ready on the day you see your doctor.
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- How Does Abiraterone Work? The CYP17 Inhibitor Explained
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How often will my PSA be checked on enzalutamide?
The interval is set by your oncologist based on how stable your results have been. Visits tend to be more frequent early in treatment and may be spaced out once your PSA has settled into a consistent pattern. Ask your team at your next appointment what their plan is for you, and ask for a printed result each time so you can track the trend yourself.
What does a rising PSA mean — should I be alarmed?
A single higher reading does not necessarily mean the cancer has progressed. PSA can vary between labs and fluctuate for reasons unrelated to the cancer. A sustained rise across two or three consecutive visits is what prompts a review. Tell your team if you have noticed an increase, but wait for their interpretation rather than drawing a conclusion from one result alone.
Why are liver tests needed if I am being treated for prostate cancer?
Enzalutamide is processed by the liver, so the liver works harder while you are on it. Liver function tests are done as a precaution, not because liver problems are expected. Most people tolerate this without any difficulty. If your results are outside the normal range, your team will explain what, if anything, needs to change.
Do I need to go somewhere else for scans?
At CION, PET-CT and other imaging scans are coordinated with partner imaging centres. Your oncologist arranges the referral and the images are reviewed alongside your blood results. You do not need to organise the appointment or carry the results yourself.
What should I tell my team if I have started a supplement or herbal remedy?
Tell them at your next visit — and sooner if you started something new since your last appointment. Some preparations, including commonly used ayurvedic medicines, can affect how enzalutamide is metabolised by the liver. Your team is not there to judge what you are taking; they need the information so they can interpret your results correctly and keep you safe.