Shorter Radiation Schedule for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate with no evidence of metastatic disease to the nodes, bone or lung * stage T1a moderately or poorly differentiated, T1b, T1c or T2 by the current UICC-TNM classification Exclusion Criteria: * PSA \> 40 mcg/L * previous therapy for carcinoma of the prostate other than biopsy or TURP, including patients previously on hormone therapy for treatment of their prostate cancer * prior or active malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer; or colon or thyroid cancer treated a minimum of five years prior to study entry and presumed cured * simulated volume exceeds 1000 cm3 * previous pelvic radiotherapy * inflammatory bowel disease * serious non-malignant disease which would preclude radiotherapy or surgical biopsy * geographic inaccessibility for follow-up * psychiatric or addictive disorder which would preclude obtaining informed consent or adherence to protocol * unable to commence radiation therapy within 26 weeks of the date of last prostatic biopsy * failure to give informed consent to participate in the study