External beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We report the treatment results and complications of external beam radiation monotherapy for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer patients.


METHODS
Fifty-four patients with T(1b-3a)N(0)(pN(0))M(0) prostate cancer were treated with external beam radiation monotherapy between 1989 and 2001 at four institutes.


RESULTS
During the 4-122 month follow-up period (median: 25 months), 11 (20%) patients experienced biochemical failure, including one with simultaneous local recurrence. The 2-year actuarial biochemical control rate was 85%. Univariate analysis showed that the clinical T classification (P = 0.01), Gleason score (P = 0.006), pretreatment PSA (P = 0.02) and PSA nadir value (P = 0.01) were associated with a higher probability of biochemical failure. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that only the PSA nadir value was a strong predictor of PSA recurrence (P < 0.01). Adverse events were mild and tolerable. No severe urinary or bowel complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
External beam radiation monotherapy is effective for clinically organ-confined prostate cancer with a low incidence of severe complications in a mean follow-up period of 2 years.
Takahashi
Atsushi
A
Department of Urology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. atakahas@sapmed.ac.jp
Yanase
Masahiro
M
Masumori
Naoya
N
Sasamura
Hiroto
H
Oda
Toshiro
T
Tanaka
Toshiaki
T
Itoh
Naoki
N
Tsukamoto
Taiji
T
Oouchi
Atsushi
A
Hareyama
Masato
M
Shirato
Hiroki
H
Takatsuka
Keiji
K
Miyao
Noriomi
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen