The androgen receptor for the radiation oncologist

[Combination of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy for localized prostate cancer]

Combination of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation is now considered as the standard of care for patients with a localized prostate cancer but poor prognosis factors. Two groups of randomized trials have led to this recommendation: some have compared radiotherapy alone versus hormonal treatment and radiotherapy: these trials demonstrated, now with a long follow-up, an improvement in 10-year survival for the combined treatment. Three recent trials compared androgen deprivation alone or combined with radiotherapy; a benefit in survival was also demonstrated in favour of the combination. Some questions remained concerning the optimal duration of hormonal treatment, in view of its potential side effects. Patients in the intermediate prognostic groups could receive a short-term androgen deprivation, but those with a high Gleason score must be treated with a long-term hormonal treatment. Modalities of radiotherapy, regarding volumes and dose must also be précised in the next years.