Androgen Suppression Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer

You may be eligible if

• 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