OBJECTIVES:
* Determine the feasibility and patient tolerance of interstitial brachytherapy combined with androgen-deprivation therapy for patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer after prior external-beam irradiation.
* Determine the toxicity of interstitial brachytherapy combined with androgen-deprivation therapy in these patients.
* Determine the tumor response to interstitial brachytherapy combined with androgen-deprivation therapy in these patients.
OUTLINE: Patients receive neoadjuvant therapy comprising leuprolide acetate intramuscularly for 3 months and oral bicalutamide once daily for 30 days, beginning on the first day of leuprolide acetate administration. Patients then undergo interstitial brachytherapy implantation with I-125. Following brachytherapy, patients receive adjuvant leuprolide acetate every 3 months for an additional 6 months.
Quality of life is assessed at baseline and at every treatment and follow-up visit.
After completion of study therapy, patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, every to 4-6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.
