title: Improving the therapeutic ratio of external beam irradiation for carcinoma of the prostate.
abstract: From 1975 to 1983, 240 patients with carcinoma of the prostate, Stages A2 to C, were treated with whole pelvic radiation followed by a 2-week rest and then a reduced field of radiation. The reduced prostatic field was evaluated for adequacy of tumor coverage by CT scan or ultrasound. The local regional control rate was 94%, with a 5-year actuarial survival for all stages of 72%. Severe complications occurred in 3% of patients and moderate complications in 13%. Two major factors that were identified as contributing to the risk of complications included previous or subsequent surgical intervention. Our technique of external beam radiotherapy resulted in a favorable therapeutic ratio, that is, excellent local-regional control with minimal morbidity.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014465:Ultrasonics