Experience in the treatment of localized carcinoma of the prostate by definitive external irradiation.

One hundred and sixteen patients with stages A2, B, and C histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated by definitive radiation. They received first whole pelvic irradiation, 46 Gy in 23 treatments, followed by a prostatic "boost" of 20 Gy in 10 fractions. Five-year survival rates varied between 39 and 84%. Prophylactic hormonal manipulation and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) did not influence survival figures. Complications of radiotherapy were in an acceptable range. It is concluded that external beam irradiation is an effective, simple, and usually well-tolerated treatment modality for localized carcinoma of the prostate. Stage and degree of differentiation and response of the primary tumour to radiation are predictors of patient outcome. There is no advantage in prophylactic hormonal manipulation, and TURP does not influence survival according to our experience.