Open AccessExternal beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Author(s) -
Horwitz Eric M.,
Hanks Gerald E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/canjclin.50.6.349
Subject(s) - prostate cancer , medicine , radiation therapy , oncology , hormone therapy , hormonal therapy , external beam radiation , cancer , prostate , disease , brachytherapy , breast cancer
Abstract Men with non‐metastatic prostate cancer have many treatment options. For over 35 years, radiation therapy has been a mainstay of treatment for this disease. With improvements in technology and better use of pretreatment prognostic factors, such as prostate specific antigen level and Gleason score, biochemical and clinical results have steadily improved. This article reviews the current status of radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer. Results of treatment utilizing three‐dimensional conformal and conventional techniques are compared and contrasted. The appropriate use of adjuvant hormones and particle beam therapy in the management of this disease is also discussed. Finally, the toxicity and future directions of radiation therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer are addressed.