Hormone therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We assessed cause specific and all cause survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer after hormone therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 1991 and November 2000, 208 men with locally advanced prostate cancer were treated with gonadal androgen ablation or gonadal androgen ablation and an antiandrogen at a single medical center. Median PSA was 46 ng./ml. (range 2 to 748). Median potential followup was 78 months (range 4 to 122) and the median observation period was 46 months (range 3 to 122). RESULTS: Of the patients 14 (7%) died of causes related to cancer and 71 (34%) died of competing co-morbid disease. Actuarial cause specific survival at 5 and 8 years was 92% and 80%, respectively. The only demographic or tumor related variable that influenced cause specific survival was Gleason score less than 8 versus 8 or greater (p = 0.02). Actuarial all cause survival at 5 and 8 years was 59% and 41%, respectively. The only variable that influenced all cause survival was a Charlson weighted co-morbidity score of less than 2 versus 2 or greater (p <0.0001). Major morbidity from the primary tumor, including bothersome obstructive voiding symptoms requiring transurethral prostate resection, ureteral obstruction or persistent hematuria, developed in 13 patients (6%), while major treatment related morbidity, including flutamide hepatotoxicity and hip fracture, developed in 4. CONCLUSIONS: Hormone therapy for locally advanced prostate cancer is associated with minimal morbidity from the primary tumor and from treatment. All cause survival parallels that reported for integrated hormone and radiation therapy.     

前列腺癌内分泌治疗对血PSA的影响及其临床意义

目的探讨进展期前列腺癌（PCa）患者内分泌治疗前后前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）变化的临床意义。方法测定PCa患者内分泌治疗前和治疗后3、6、12、24个月血清PSA。结果治疗后3个月与治疗前相比血清PSA下降明显。治疗后6个月达到PSA谷值。结论血清PSA可作为判断PCa内分泌治疗效果的标准，血清PSA再次升高（〉4ng／ml）提示肿瘤发展为非激素依赖性前列腺癌，是预测生存率的一个独立因素。     

Conservative management of prostate cancer in the prostate specific antigen era: the incidence and time course of subsequent therapy

PURPOSE: The long natural history of early stage prostate cancer is well recognized and a conservative approach to the treatment of elderly men is often encouraged. We assessed the ability of patients and physicians to adhere to a policy of watchful waiting in the prostate specific antigen (PSA) era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all 199 men with stages T1-2 prostate cancer and PSA less than 20 ng./ml. who in our practice elected watchful waiting. Median followup in the population overall was 3.4 years. We performed Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis of overall and disease specific survival, and most pertinent survival free from therapy. A questionnaire was administered to record the attitude of patients who ultimately proceeded to treatment to determine how therapy was triggered. RESULTS: Median patient age was 71 years and median PSA was 6.6 ng./ml. The tumor was impalpable in 52% of patients, Gleason sum was 6 or less in 80% and 11% used some form of herbal remedy or nutritional supplementation. Of the 37 men who died during observation, including 35 of co-morbid illness, only 6 underwent treatment. Overall survival at 5 and 7 years was 77% and 63% but disease specific survival was 98% and 98%, respectively. A total of 64 patients underwent treatment and actuarial freedom from treatment was 56% at 5 years, including 51% and 73% in those younger and older than 75 years at diagnosis. The likelihood of being alive and free from treatment was 43% at 5 years and 26% at 7. Of the 63 men treated 48 (76%) underwent radical therapy (brachytherapy in 17, external beam radiotherapy in 29 and prostatectomy in 2), while only 24% received androgen deprivation. The median PSA increase from diagnosis to treatment in treated patients was 2.9 ng./ml., and it was 0.9 ng./ml. from diagnosis to the last followup in those not treated. Of the treated patients 81% believed that the physician had initiated therapy due to a PSA increase or a nodule. However, physicians recorded having advocated treatment in only 24% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: When patients do not die of co-morbid illness, they are likely to proceed to therapy well within the first decade after diagnosis (57% by 5 years and 74% by 7). Therapy was usually definitive (radical) and triggered by slight, inevitable PSA increases. The patient perception was that the physicians initiated therapy in response to increasing PSA. However, the physicians more often perceived that treatment was initiated by patients. Therefore, watchful waiting in the PSA era often represents radical therapy delayed by a few years.     

Secondary hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer

PURPOSE: Androgen ablation remains the cornerstone of management for advanced prostate cancer. Therapeutic options in patients with progressive disease following androgen deprivation include antiandrogen withdrawal, secondary hormonal agents and chemotherapy. Multiple secondary hormonal agents have clinical activity and the sequential use of these agents may lead to prolonged periods of clinical response. We provide a state-of-the-art review of the various agents currently used for secondary hormonal manipulation and discusses their role in the systemic treatment of patients with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive review of the peer reviewed literature was performed on the topic of secondary hormonal therapies, including oral antiandrogens, adrenal androgen inhibitors, corticosteroids, estrogenic compounds, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists and alternative hormonal therapies for advanced prostate cancer. RESULTS: Secondary hormonal therapies can provide a safe and effective treatment option in patients with AIPC. The use of steroids and adrenolytics, such as ketoconazole and aminoglutethimide, has resulted in symptomatic improvement and a greater than 50% prostate specific antigen decrease in a substantial percent of patients with AIPC. A similar clinical benefit has been demonstrated with estrogen based therapies. Furthermore, these therapies have demonstrated a decrease in metastatic disease burden. Other novel hormonal therapies are currently under investigation and they may also show promise as secondary hormonal therapies. Finally, guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration Prostate Cancer Endpoints Workshop were reviewed in the context of developing new agents. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary hormonal therapy serves as an excellent therapeutic option in patients with AIPC in whom primary hormonal therapy has failed. Practicing urologists should familiarize themselves with these oral medications, their indications and their potential side effects.     

Long-term overall survival and metastasis-free survival for men with prostate-specific antigen-recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy: analysis of the Center for Prostate Disease Research National Database

Study Type – Prognosis (retrospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Patients who develop biochemical (PSA) recurrence after prostatectomy may subsequently develop metastases leading to their eventual death. However, many such patients receive additional therapies before developing metastases, so the natural history of disease progression in these patients is poorly described. We aimed to report metastasis‐free survival and overall survival for such patients using a multicentre database. We present data on the natural history of metastatic progression and survival for men treated with radical prostatectomy who did not receive additional adjuvant or salvage therapies before developing metastases. Even in the absence of subsequent therapies, we demonstrate that metastasis‐free survival and overall survival may be prolonged but are variable. We confirm that PSA doubling time is the strongest prognostic factor determining risk of metastasis and death in men with biochemically‐recurrent prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE

• ? To describe metastasis‐free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) among men with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy who did not receive additional therapy until metastasis, using a multicentre database capturing a wide ethnic mix.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• ? A retrospective analysis of the Center for Prostate Disease Research National Database (comprised of five US military hospitals and one civilian centre) was performed for patients with PSA relapse (≥0.2 ng/mL) after radical prostatectomy who had no additional therapy until the time of radiographic metastatic disease.
• ? We investigated factors influencing metastasis and all‐cause mortality using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

• ? There were a total of 346 men who underwent radical prostatectomy between May 1983 and November 2008 and fulfilled the entry criteria. All patients had information on survival and 190 men had information on metastasis. Among patients with survival data (n= 346), 10‐year OS was 79% after a median follow‐up of 8.6 years from biochemical recurrence.
• ? Among men with metastasis data (n= 190), 10‐year MFS was 46% after a median follow‐up of 7.5 years.
• ? In Cox regressions, four clinical factors (Gleason score, pathological stage, time to PSA relapse and PSA doubling time), as well as age, were predictive of OS and/or MFS in univariate analysis, although only PSA doubling time (≥9 vs 3–8.9 vs <3 months) remained independently predictive of these outcomes in multivariate analysis (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

• ? This multicentre multi‐ethnic dataset shows that OS and MFS can be extensive for men with PSA‐recurrent prostate cancer, even in the absence of further therapy before metastasis.
• ? This unique patient cohort, the second largest of its type after the Johns Hopkins cohort, confirms that PSA doubling time is the strongest determinant of OS and MFS in men with PSA‐recurrent disease.
• ? Longer follow‐up and more events will be required to determine whether other variables may also contribute to these outcomes.

     

局限性前列腺癌间歇性内分泌治疗的临床观察

目的探讨间歇性内分泌治疗（IHT）局限性前列腺癌的效果。方法选取局限性前列腺癌（T1-2N0M0）患者36例,全雄激素阻断治疗6～9个月,停药时机为前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）≤0.2 ng/mL后持续3～6个月,以后根据每月PSA的检测结果决定是否再行内分泌治疗。治疗期及间歇期检测血清睾酮值,并行生活质量评分。结果 36例患者间歇性内分泌治疗6个月后血清PSA均降至正常,前列腺体积明显缩小。第1～5疗程的平均间歇期分别为5.8、6.6、8.4、5.6和3.0个月。最低PSA值从第1疗程的0.001 ng/mL上升至第5疗程的0.5 ng/mL。95.6%患者在第1个间歇期睾酮回升至正常值上限,中位回归时间11.2周。全部患者完成第1个周期的治疗,88.8%的患者完成2个周期的治疗,63.8%的患者完成3个周期的治疗,47.2%的患者完成4个周期的治疗,25.0%的患者完成5个周期的治疗,随访时间1～6.5年。生活质量评分显示,患者性趣、排尿症状和肠道症状等在间歇期得到显著改善（P〈0.05）。结论间歇性内分泌方法是非根治性治疗局限性前列腺癌的有效手段。     

Biomarkers for detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: contemporary clinical data and future directions

Use of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for early detection of prostate cancer appears to reduce cancer-specific mortality. Due to the limited specificity of PSA for clinically significant [Grade Group (GG) ≥2] cancer, however, screening carries substantial risks, including frequent unnecessary prostate biopsies and overdetection of non-aggressive cancers. To that end, serum and urine biomarkers with improved specificity for GG ≥2 cancer have been proposed for clinical use following PSA. In the current article, we present clinical validation data for five such biomarkers: PHI, 4Kscore, SelectMDx, ExoDx, and MPS. For all studies, we specify the study population (overall biopsy referral vs. pre-specified PSA ranges), previous biopsy status (biopsy-naïve vs. previous negative biopsy), and the proportion of subjects diagnosed with GG ≥2 cancer. Outcomes include test performance characteristics: sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV). Published data were used to compute the number of unnecessary biopsies avoided and number of GG ≥2 cancers missed if the biomarker had been used clinically to select for prostate biopsy. The evidence review is preceded by a primer on these and other clinically-relevant summary statistics.     

Hereditary prostate cancer: clinical characteristics and survival

PURPOSE: Hereditary prostate cancer accounts for 5% to 10% of all prostate cancer cases. We assessed clinical characteristics and survival in patients with hereditary prostate cancer MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 201 patients from 62 Swedish hereditary prostate cancer families and 402 controls with prostate cancer who were matched for age and calendar year at diagnosis, and the hospital where the diagnosis was made. Clinical data were obtained from the National Cancer Registry, Causes of Death Registry and medical records. RESULTS: Median age at the diagnosis of hereditary prostate cancer was 68 years, which was 6 years less than in patients with prostate cancer in the general population in Sweden. Distributions of tumor grade, symptoms at diagnosis and initial therapy were similar in hereditary prostate cancer cases and controls. More controls were classified with localized disease but it may have been due to methodological problems. Overall and cancer specific survival was similar in patients with hereditary prostate cancer and controls as well as in subgroup analyses including those with early onset and those diagnosed before 1990. Prostate cancer was the cause of death in 75% of patients with hereditary prostate cancer, in contrast to 55% with prostate cancer in the Swedish population. This difference was completely explained by the earlier age at the diagnosis of hereditary prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Hereditary prostate cancer has an earlier onset than sporadic prostate cancer but this study did not indicate any other important difference in clinical characteristics or survival in patients with hereditary prostate cancer and those with sporadic prostate cancer. However, it cannot be excluded that individual hereditary prostate cancer genes may have specific biological characteristics.     

Survival of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer in the prostate specific antigen era

PURPOSE: The historically reported 12 to 18-month duration of survival of patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer is not consistent with current clinical experience. Furthermore, to our knowledge patient survival after serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) progressively increases from a nadir despite castrate testosterone has not been previously reported. For this reason we studied overall survival and the clinical variables that influence survival in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study focused on 254 patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy. Hormone refractory prostate cancer was defined as the first in a series of PSA elevations despite castrate levels of testosterone. The duration of survival in the hormone refractory phase was calculated from the date of the first PSA elevation to the date of death. RESULTS: Median survival after hormone refractory prostate cancer developed in patients initially staged with and without skeletal metastasis was 40 and 68 months, respectively. Six of more than 25 input variables were retained as significant in the final Cox model. Variables associated with longer survival were lower nadir PSA, younger age, higher pretreatment testosterone, no history of obstructive uropathy, no history of tobacco use (past or current) and lower alkaline phosphatase. CONCLUSIONS: Historical reports of survival in hormone refractory prostate cancer underestimate current survival observations. The likely explanations of this observation include delayed enrollment in clinical trials from which most survival data are derived, PSA lead time in staging and improved supportive care. Models predicting survival in patients with hormone refractory prostate cancer should consider multiple variables.     

Role of advanced 2 and 3-dimensional ultrasound for detecting prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We explored the clinical usefulness of spectrum analysis and neural networks for classifying prostate tissue and identifying prostate cancer in patients undergoing transrectal ultrasound for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on a cohort of 215 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York were included in this study. Radio frequency data necessary for 2 and 3-dimensional (D) computer reconstruction of the prostate were digitally recorded at transrectal ultrasound and prostate biopsy. The data were spectrally processed and 2-D tissue typing images were generated based on a pre-trained neural network classification. We used manually masked 2-D tissue images as building blocks for generating 3-D tissue images and the images were tissue type color coded using custom software. Radio frequency data on the study cohort were analyzed for cancer probability using the data set pre-trained by neural network methods and compared with conventional B-mode imaging. ROC curves were generated for the 2 methods using biopsy results as the gold standard. RESULTS: The mean area under the ROC curve plus or minus SEM for detecting prostate cancer for the conventional B-mode and neural network methods was 0.66 +/- 0.03 and 0.80 +/- 0.05, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting prostate cancer by the neural network method were significantly increased compared with conventional B-mode imaging. In addition, the 2 and 3-D prostate images provided excellent visual identification of areas with a higher likelihood of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Spectrum analysis could significantly improve the detection and evaluation of prostate cancer. Routine real-time application of spectrum analysis may significantly decrease the number of false-negative biopsies and improve the detection of prostate cancer at transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. It may also provide improved identification of prostate cancer foci during therapeutic intervention, such as brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy or cryotherapy. In addition, 2 and 3-D images with prostate cancer foci specifically identified can help surgical planning and may in the distant future be an additional reliable noninvasive method of selecting patients for prostate biopsy.     

康士得(比卡鲁胺)治疗局部晚期无远处转移前列腺癌的疗效及安全性研究

目的评价康士得150mg和药物去势治疗局部晚期无远处转移的前列腺癌的疗效及单一治疗的安全性和耐受性。方法采用随机、平行、开放、对照的研究方案,符合入选和排除标准的受试者按照1:1的比例,随机进入治疗组和对照组。治疗组:康士得片150mg,每日1片;对照组:诺雷得(醋酸戈舍瑞林)植入剂,每28d在腹前壁皮下注射1次,每次3.6mg,共3次,最初2周合用康士得50mg,每日1片。在治疗12周时,观察前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)的抑制百分比,前列腺体积的变化及药物的安全性和耐受性。结果在治疗12周后,口服治疗组和对照组PSA的抑制率分别为62.18%和68.03%,两组之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);前列腺体积缩小率分别为36.23%和42.59%,两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗组的总体安全性和耐受性良好,治疗中无严重不良事件发生,与药物相关的不良事件分别为乳房疼痛1例,男性乳腺发育1例,不需采取任何治疗措施。结论在局部晚期、无远处转移的前列腺癌患者中,口服康士得150mg的总体安全性和耐受性良好,其近期治疗效果与目前常规标准药物去势治疗相似。     

前列腺癌体积的临床预测及其意义

目的　研究以术前前列腺活检资料来推断前列腺癌体积及病理的价值。方法　以 3 3例因前列腺癌而行根治术的患者作为研究对象 ,将术前PSA、PSAD及前列腺 8点活检的结果与前列腺癌体积及病理进行相关分析研究。结果　 (1)前列腺癌体积与术前PSA、PSAD及前列腺活检的结果呈显著正相关 ,而与年龄、术前前列腺体积以及摘除标本的体积无明显相关关系 ;(2 )前列腺活检中阳性点数联合PSA与前列腺癌体积的回归模型预测前列腺癌体积最好 ;(3 )前列腺活检中阳性点数≤ 3点组的癌体积及精囊浸润率低于阳性点数≥ 4点组 ,两者有显著性差异。结论　前列腺 8点活检中阳性点数是预测前列腺癌体积及病理的一个重要参考指标 ,尤其是联合检测PSA ,更增加其预测前列腺癌体积的准确性     

A standard definition of disease freedom is needed for prostate cancer: undetectable prostate specific antigen compared with the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition

PURPOSE: Freedom from prostate cancer is defined by undetectable prostate specific antigen (PSA) after surgery and the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) criteria are recommended for irradiation. Whether these definitions of disease freedom are comparable was evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1992 to August 1996 simultaneous irradiation with prostate 125iodine implantation followed by external beam irradiation was performed in 591 consecutive men with stage T1T2NX prostate cancer. All patients had a transperineal implant and none received neoadjuvant hormones. Disease freedom was defined by a PSA cutoff of 0.2 ng./ml. and the ASTRO consensus definition. Median followup was 6 years (range 5 to 8). RESULTS: Of the 591 men in this study 65 had recurrence by ASTRO criteria and 93 had recurrence by a PSA cutoff of 0.2 ng./ml., which was a significant difference (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis of the factors related to disease-free status the definition of disease freedom, pretreatment PSA and Gleason score were highly significant. Of the 528 men with a minimum 5-year PSA followup the 8-year disease-free survival rate by ASTRO criteria was 99% in those who achieved a PSA nadir of 0.2 ng./ml. and 16% in those with a nadir of 0.3 to 1 ng./ml. Of the 469 disease-free patients by ASTRO criteria with a minimum 5-year followup 455 (97%) achieved a PSA nadir of 0.2 ng./ml. or less. CONCLUSIONS: The definition of freedom from prostate cancer significantly affects treatment results. A standard definition is needed and a PSA cutoff of 0.2 ng./ml. is suggested as the standard for all curative treatments for localized prostate cancer.     

Oncological control after radical prostatectomy in men with clinical T3 prostate cancer: a single‐centre experience

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of cancer control afforded by radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with clinical stage T3 prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data for patients treated by RP for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer between 1995 and 2005. The following case characteristics were analysed: patient age, clinical presentation, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, tumour stage (2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis), surgical procedure, pathological data, margin and lymph node status, and recurrence. Biochemical recurrence was defined as an increase in PSA level of >0.2 ng/mL after surgery. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were generated, and prognostic factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 100 patients were included; only 79% of them had pT3 disease based on the pathological specimen. The median follow‐up after RP was 69 months. The RP was open in 77 and laparoscopic in 23, with no significant difference between these approaches (P = 0.38). The 5‐year PSA‐free survival after surgery was 45%, and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was 90%. On univariable analysis, Gleason score >7 (P = 0.01), pathological stage (pT2‐T3a vs T3b) (P < 0.001), positive lymph node (P < 0.001), and positive margin (P < 0.001) were associated with recurrence. On multivariable analysis, lymph node, margin status and Gleason score were also significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RP can be recommended as an alternative primary treatment that results in acceptable cancer control for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer in selected cases. However, the patient should be warned that surgery alone might not be sufficient to control the cancer, and that adjuvant therapy might be needed during the course of the disease.     

Prevalence, treatment modalities and prognosis of familial prostate cancer in a screened population

PURPOSE: A family history of prostate cancer is an important risk factor for this disease. The clinical presentation and prognosis of familial disease remain uncertain. In this study these entities are evaluated in the first and second rounds of a screening program in The Netherlands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of all men randomized in the Rotterdam section of the ERSPC, 19,970 men were eligible for screening. Information regarding the family history was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire at baseline. RESULTS: In the prevalence screen the cancer detection rate in 1,364 men (7.1%) with a positive family history was 7.7% (106 cancers in 1,364 screened men with a positive family history) while the positive predictive value of the biopsies was 32.2% (154 cancers of 532 biopsies). In 12,803 sporadic cases the detection rate was 4.7% and the positive predictive value was 23.6% (p <0.0001 and 0.003, RR 1.63). No clinicopathological differences were found in the 1,559 men diagnosed in the first and second rounds. The overall biochemical-free survival rate after a mean followup of 56.8 months (range 0 to 129.9) was 76.8%, and was not significantly different in familial and sporadic cases (p = 0.840). These findings were consistent for the specific treatment modalities as well. CONCLUSIONS: Although screened men 55 to 75 years old with a father or a brother having prostate cancer themselves are at a substantially greater risk for the disease, the clinical presentation, treatment modalities and prognosis by biochemical progression are not different compared to sporadic cases.     

The effect of smoking on outcome following external radiation for localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We investigated whether a smoking habit affects biochemical and survival outcome after curative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 601 men treated with curative EBRT between 1994 and 1997 who had a smoking history available. Pretreatment prognostic factors were examined and high risk was defined as any of prostate specific antigen greater than 20, Gleason greater than 7 or stages T3-4. Biochemical outcome (bNED) was assessed by American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and Houston criteria. Biochemical, clinical, prostate cancer and nonprostate cancer death rates were examined by univariate and multivariate statistics. RESULTS: Of the men 15% were current smokers, 55% were former smokers and 31% were nonsmokers. Current smokers were younger than former smokers or nonsmokers by a mean of 2.5 years (p <0.001). Current smokers had higher risk cancers than former smokers or nonsmokers (high risk 60%, 40% and 43%, respectively, p = 0.017). Five-year bNED rates for smokers were significantly worse than for former smokers or nonsmokers (55%, 69% and 73%, p = 0.01 and 0.0019, respectively). Median followup was 59 months. Multivariate analysis confirmed smoking as an independent adverse factor for bNED (p = 0.013) even when controlling for prostate specific antigen (p <0.0001), Gleason score (p <0.0001), stage (not significant), radiation dose (not significant) and neoadjuvant hormone use (p = 0.0014). Local and metastatic failure did not differ among the groups. Prostate cancer specific mortality was nonsignificantly worse in smokers but overall mortality was much greater. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers present with higher risk prostate cancers. Outcomes following EBRT are poorer, even when accounting for differences in known pretreatment factors.