Progression and complications after external beam radiation therapy for carcinoma of prostate

Sixty patients with prostatic carcinoma localized to the pelvis have been treated by external beam radiation therapy: 2 patients (2%) were Stage A, 12 (20%) Stage B, 14 (23%) Stage C, and 32 (53%) Stage D1. Twenty-two patients received adjuvant therapy (11 estramustine phosphate [Estracyt] and 11 cyclophosphamide [Cytoxan]) after radiation. Progression occurred in 22 patients (37%): 6 (10%) had local recurrence while 16 (27%) failed distally. The incidence of late major complications was 12 percent.