A Phase III Intensity Radiotherapy Dose Escalation for Prostate Cancer Using Hypofractionation

Patients in this study will be randomly picked (as in the toss of a coin) to be in one of two treatment groups. There is an equal chance of being in either group. Patients in Group 1 will be treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). These patients will receive 42 treatments, 5 days per week, over 8.5 weeks. This method has become the standard treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Patients in Group 2 will also be treated with IMRT. However, these patients will only receive 30 treatments, 5 days per week, over 6 weeks. The dose per day for Group 2 patients is higher than for Group 1 and has the possibility of killing more tumor cells. Each external beam treatment requires about 10-20 minutes. However, patients can expect to spend 20 - 30 minutes on the treatment table because imaging measurements of prostate position will be done before each treatment. The total time in the radiation department each treatment day will be about an hour. After the radiotherapy is completed, patients will have a PSA blood test every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for Years 3 - 5, then annually. They will be examined every 6 months during the first 2 years beginning 3 months after the completion of treatment, then annually. A needle biopsy of the prostate will be performed if these tests suggest recurrence. This is an investigational study. 225 patients will take part in this study. This study will take place at M. D. Anderson and possibly some affiliated hospitals.