At present there is no evidence that adjuvant radiotherapy after prostatectomy improves survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. This has been looked at in previous trials and is currently being investigated in the RADICALS (Radiotherapy and Androgen Deprivation in Combination after Local Surgery) trial.
The RADICALS trial will address the role of radiotherapy and hormonal therapy for men who have had surgery for prostate cancer. (19)
Radiotherapy is usually given only to men who have a rising PSA level after surgery. An alternative approach is to routinely use radiotherapy in all men shortly after surgery. The routine use of radiotherapy in all men straight after surgery may be more effective, but could also have more unwanted effects on quality of life.
The trial will also address whether radiotherapy after surgery is better given alone or together with hormone therapy. And if it is better to use hormone therapy how long it should be given for?