Radiation therapy as treatment for stage T1c prostate cancers.

Preliminary outcomes are reported for 202 patients with T1c prostate cancer treated with three-dimensional conformal radiation treatment (3DCRT). At 5 years, actuarial freedom from failure is demonstrated in 97% of patients with pretreatment PSA levels of < 10 ng/ml, in 88% of those with PSA levels of 10-19.9 ng/ml, and in 91% of young patients (< or = 65 years) with PSA levels of < 20 ng/ml. The late morbidity following this technology is extremely favorable, with < 1% of patients developing serious GI sequelae, < 1% using a daily pad for incontinence, and 61% maintaining sexual potency. Continued development and use of 3DCRT technology is indicated for patients who elect external beam radiation treatment.