[Radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer of the prostate].

A finer analysis of the spontaneous evolution of prostatic cancer has led to a better understanding of the importance of a long period of lymph node extension without necessarily concomitant distant metastases. Advances in interstitial brachytherapy and external irradiation technique have led to satisfactory local control, a low incidence of local recurrent disease, a large number of histologically sterile samples upon repeat biopsy, fewer complications and a 5 and 10 year survival rate unsurpassed by any alternative therapy. A comparison between radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy shows comparable therapeutic efficacy for stages A and B1 but a superior local control, higher survival rate at 5 and 10 years and fewer complications for irradiation at stages B2 and C. The irradiated volume and optimal doses have yet to be established. After a description of irradiation and dosimetric techniques, we will discuss the place of present-day radiotherapy in curative locoregional treatment of prostatic cancer.