Radical external beam radiation therapy for prostate carcinoma

Between 1970 and 1978, 202 patients with carcinoma of the prostate were treated with radical external beam radiation with curative intent. Intracapsular disease was present in 38% and the remaining 62% had disease extending through the prostatic capsule. The overall survival is 72% at five years, and despite the large number of patients with advanced disease the five-year disease-free survival is 46%. Significant prognostic factors include: i) tumor, grade, ii) extent of primary disease, iii) procedure done to determine diagnosis (TURP vs. needle biopsy) and iv) tumor dose. There was a significant improvement in survival at a minimum dose of 5000 Gy. Prostate carcinoma is radiosensitive and a dose-response relationship in treatment has been demonstrated by this review.