[Treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer. Part III--external beam radiotherapy]

The optimal management of clinically localized (T1, T2) prostate cancer remains controversial. Patients have possibility of choice between prostatectomy and radiotherapy in two forms: external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Multicentre studies show comparable results of theise two methods. The aim of this paper is to present current knowledge regarding treatment with conformal radiotherapy. Acute and late effects of ionizing radiation are described. Propriety of associate radiotherapy with hormonotherapy was analyzsed.