OBJECTIVES: I. Establish whether changes between baseline and 2-month post androgen suppression endorectal coil MRI results predict for biochemical control following radiotherapy with androgen suppression in patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
OUTLINE: Patients undergo a baseline endorectal coil MRI, followed by total androgen suppression (TAS) with either leuprolide IM or subcutaneous goserelin once a month plus oral flutamide 3 times a day for 2 months. Patients then receive a second endorectal coil MRI, followed by 2 months of external-beam radiotherapy plus TAS. Patients may receive an additional 2 months of TAS at the discretion of the treating physician. Patients are followed every 6 months for 3 years, then yearly thereafter.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 180 patients (approximately 60 per year) will be accrued for this study over a 34 months.
