Proton Therapy vs. IMRT for Low or Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer

We are studying whether men being treated for prostate cancer have the same amount of side effects from either one of two different external radiation treatments: IMRT or PBT. With IMRT, a number of x-ray beams are used to shape the radiation to the prostate. PBT is another type of external radiation treatment for prostate cancer that is used in a few centers in the United States. Protons are tiny particles with positive charge that can be controlled to travel a certain distance and stop. PBT is precise like IMRT, but it uses proton beams instead of x-ray beams. IMRT and PBT aim to deliver most of the radiation to the prostate cancer while sparing surrounding tissues. Both IMRT and PBT have been used in the treatment of prostate cancer and are thought to be equally effective at curing prostate cancer. However, both treatments have also been shown to cause the potential side effects of radiation, including bowel, urinary and erectile problems. It is possible that side effect rates with PBT will be lower, the same, or even higher than with IMRT, but this has not been studied well to date. Though both of these radiation therapies have been used in the past to treat prostate cancer, there has never been a study that compares the effects of these two therapies to see which one has less side effects. In this research study, we are comparing IMRT to PBT to determine which therapy best minimizes the side effects of treatment.

Because no one knows which of the study options is best, you will be "randomized" into one of the study groups: IMRT or PBT. Randomization means that you are put into a group by chance, like flipping a coin. Neither you nor the research doctor will choose which group you will be in. You will have an equal chance of being placed in either group. Randomization makes the study better from a scientific point of view because it helps ensure that patients receiving IMRT and proton therapy are similar. You will be receiving only one type of radiation, either IMRT or PBT throughout your participation in the study. Before you begin radiation therapy you will have a pelvic CT scan in order to design your radiation treatment. Doctors will use information gathered from these scans to plan the best way to deliver radiation to your tumor. Both types of radiation therapy will be given once a day for 5 days (no weekends or holidays) for up to 9 weeks. Both IMRT and PBT will require that you lie on a table for less than 15 minutes to obtain your treatment. During each visit you will be asked questions about your general health and specific questions about any problems that you might be having and any medications you might be taking. You will also undergo a physical exam and complete some quality of life questionnaires. After your radiation therapy you will have follow up visits at 3,6,9,12,18,24,36,48 and 60 months.

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate based on core-biopsy within 1 year of study entry from TRUS * Clinical stages T1c to T2c * PSA \<20, within 6 months of study entry * Participants who are currently receiving Dutasteride (or have received it within the last 90 days) or Finasteride (or have received it within the last 30 days) must have a PSA of ≤ 10 * Gleason score ≤6, 3 + 4 = 7, or 4 + 3 = 7 * ECOG Performance Status 0-1 as documented within 3 months prior to study entry * Must have complete history and physical examination within 45 days of study entry and digital rectal examination of prostate within 180 days of study entry Exclusion Criteria: * Prior surgery (not including TURP), cryosurgery, radiofrequency ablation, chemotherapy or radiation for PCa * Prior or planned androgen deprivation or bilateral orchiectomy * Distant metastases, or clinically or pathologically involved lymph nodes confirmed by a CT scan within 365 days of study entry * Hip prosthesis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue disorder such as active scleroderma or lupus * Individuals with a history of other malignancies are ineligible unless 1) they have been disease-free for at least 5 years OR 2) are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy with no plans for adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and have received overall principal investigator approval. * Individuals who have AIDS (CD4 \< 200 or an AIDS-defining illness) or are HIV positive and not on HAART therapy are ineligible. * Major medical or psychiatric illness * Individuals with any of the following conditions are excluded from this study: * Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months. * Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months. * Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration. * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy at the time of registration * History of Hepatic insufficiency resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation defects within the last 12 months