Radiation therapy in localized prostate cancer. A review of 48 patients followed for at least ten years.

Objective: to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of curative-intent radiation therapy in patients with apparently localized prostate cancer. Method: 48 patients with T < 3 MO prostate cancer recruited between 1981 an d 1985 received regular clinical follow-up for at least ten years or until their death. Radiation therapy was given according to the protocols establi shed by Ray and Bagshaw. Results: radiation therapy was safe and effective in most patients. The rat e of escape phenomenon was less than 10% after two years. Tumor control rat es were greater than 80% after five years and 50% after ten years. Unfortun ately, local remission, even when prolonged, did not necessarily indicate a complete cure: 20% of local recurrences developed five to 11 years after r adiation therapy. Conclusion: radiation therapy may be the best first-line treatment in men o lder than 75 years of age and in those whose life expectancy seems shorter than ten years, but should probably not be considered curative.