Improved outcomes with radiation for prostate cancer

Over the past 15 years, there have been a series of substantial technical i mprovements in both external beam radiation and brachytherapy. At the same time, the introduction of prostate-specific antigen-based post-treatment mo nitoring has allowed a reasonable comparison between each radiation modalit y and prostatectomy. At present, comparison between the modalities shows mo re similarities than differences. Probably the most exciting finding in reg ard to curing patients of cancer is that higher risk patients have a more f avorable prognosis than previously recognized, using higher doses now achie vable with either form of radiation.