Single-Dose Local Radiation Therapy Compared With Ibandronate in Treating Patients With Localized Metastatic Bone Pain

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary prostate cancer OR sclerotic bone metastases (for patients with serum prostate-specific antigen \> 100 ng/mL) * Radiologically confirmed bone metastases by plain x-ray, isotope scan, CT scan, or MRI * Clinical diagnosis of metastatic bone pain for which radiotherapy is indicated * Single localized metastatic bone pain AND receiving optimal analgesics and adjuvant drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, unless contraindicated * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Sex * Male Menopausal status * Not specified Performance status * Not specified Life expectancy * At least 3 months Hematopoietic * Not specified Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Creatinine ≤ 3.0 mg/dL * No hypercalcemia (corrected calcium \> 10.8 mg/dL) * No hypocalcemia (corrected calcium \< 8.2 mg/dL) Other * No known hypersensitivity to ibandronate or other bisphosphonates * No history of aspirin-sensitive asthma * Able to comply with pain chart and quality of life assessments PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior change in systemic chemotherapy * No prior high-dose chemotherapy (dose intensity \> 3 times standard dose) Endocrine therapy * More than 4 weeks since prior change in hormonal therapy Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior external beam radiotherapy to index site * No prior systemic radioisotope therapy (e.g., strontium chloride Sr 89 or samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium) Surgery * Not specified Other * More than 6 months since prior bisphosphonate treatment * More than 4 weeks since prior aminoglycoside antibiotics * More than 30 days since prior investigational drugs