The cure rate is low or non-existent for patients with metastatic disease, but hormonal therapy, external beam radiation, experimental chemotherapy and supportive measures can often extend life and well-being for years.
• Locally recurrent tumors in the pelvis are best treated by external beam or interstitial radiation therapy if
radical prostatectomy was the initial form of treatment.
• Patients originally receiving external beam radiation therapy usually cannot be given additional external beam
treatments, but selected patients can undergo interstitial radiotherapy .
• As is the case for most cancer of the prostate, hormonal therapy is the mainstay for metastatic disease.
• Chemotherapy protocols are continuing, but there are no truly promising developments.
