Phase II Trial of Androgen Suppression for 6 Months Combined With External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) With Brachytherapy (BT) Boost for Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate

- Must have one of the following prognostic factors:

- Stage T1-2, N0; prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 10 ng/mL; and Gleason
score > 6

- Stage T1-2, N0; PSA > 10 ng/mL and < 20 ng/mL; and Gleason score ≤ 6

- Stage T3a, N0; PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL; and Gleason score ≤ 6

- Prostate volume < 60 cc by transrectal ultrasound

- No distant or nodal metastases

- No metastatic disease by bone scan, CT scan, or MRI

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior immunotherapy for prostate cancer

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Endocrine therapy:

- Prior androgen-suppression therapy for up to 4 weeks duration allowed if initiated
within 4 weeks of study radiotherapy

- No other prior hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Surgery:

- No prior surgery for prostate cancer

- No prior transurethral resection of the prostate

Other:

- No prior alternative therapy (e.g., PC-SPES) for prostate cancer