Clinical Research Directory

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Inclusion criteria: Diagnosis of nonmetastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate Must have undergone radical prostatectomy Post-operative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) \< 0.4 ng/mL No post-operative biochemical failure, defined as EITHER two consecutive rises in PSA and final PSA \> 0.1 ng/mL OR three consecutive rises in PSA (for patients undergoing hormone therapy duration randomization) Exclusion criteria: Known distant metastases from prostate cancer PSA \> 5 ng/mL at the time of hormone randomization (for patients undergoing hormone therapy duration randomization) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * No other active malignancy likely to interfere with protocol treatment or follow-up. * Consent has been given within the RADICALS (RT/HD) trial to translational research and follow up. PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Inclusion criteria: See Disease Characteristics Co-enrollment to other trials is permitted, providing this does not interfere with the outcome measures 5-α reductase inhibitors, soya, selenium, and vitamin E are acceptable non-trial therapies Exclusion criteria: Prior hormone therapy Bilateral orchidectomy Prior pelvic radiotherapy Neoadjuvant treatment Other concurrent therapies for prostate cancer (e.g., estrogens or cytotoxic chemotherapy) prior to disease progression