Hormonal therapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer

Adjuvant hormonal therapy with radiation may improve local control or survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, as shown by EORTC 22863 and RTOG 85-31, Another trial, RTOG 86-10, showed better local control with adjuvant hormonal therapy and radiation but no difference in survival from patients receiving radiation alone. There are many unanswered questions concerning the optimal timing of androgen ablation and radiation, the duration and type of androgen ablation, and the population of patients who will obtain the greatest benefit.