Radical radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate: localized and extended field treatment

From 1972 to 1981, 50 patients who received radical radiotherapy for clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate have been reviewed. Of these 50 patients, 70% showed some degree of reaction to the radiotherapy in the form of minor, transient urinary or bowel symptoms. Significant complications occurred in 20%, the most common of which was proctitis. There was no apparent relation of complication rate to the extent of the radiation field. The overall corrected 5 year survival was 74%.