Computer Planned Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven intermediate prognostic risk (T1-T2) adenocarcinoma of the prostate

  • Previously untreated (except for hormonal therapy)
  • PSA levels greater than 10 ng/mL and Gleason scores no greater than 6 OR
  • PSA levels no greater than 10 ng/mL and Gleason scores at least 7
  • Patients requiring volume reduction of prostate prior to radiotherapy continue to be treated at least 3 months on neoadjuvant hormonal therapy prior to radiation
• No evidence of distant metastases
• No regional lymph node involvement

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• No major medical illness
• No psychosis
• No metallic pelvic prosthesis

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Prior neoadjuvant antiandrogen therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy
• No prior pelvic irradiation

Surgery:

• No prior radical surgery for carcinoma of the prostate