C. Richard Choo, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects (good and bad) on patients with prostate cancer by comparing the standard dose of radiation therapy (44 treatments over 8½-9 weeks) with a higher daily dose of radiation (5 treatments over 1-2 weeks) to see if the effects of the treatments are similar or better.

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays and other types of radiation to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Androgens can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Androgen-deprivation therapy may lessen the amount of androgens made by the body. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective with or without androgen-deprivation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy to see how well it works compared with radiation therapy given together with androgen-deprivation therapy in treating patients with prostate cancer.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects (good and bad) on patients with prostate cancer by comparing the standard dose of radiation therapy (44 treatments over 8½-9 weeks) with a higher daily dose of radiation (5 treatments over 1-2 weeks) to see if the effects of the treatments are similar or better.

The purpose of this study is to determine if prostate cancer patients treated with proton therapy as compared to IMRT experience improved QOL (validated EPIC instrument measuring bowel, urinary, and sexual QOL).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a moderate hypofractionation regimen of proton beam therapy with same time treatment of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and the regional pelvic nodes  for patients who have clinically localized, high risk or unfavorable intermediate risk prostate cancer.