The aim of this study was to determine whether radiation therapy in combination with hormonal therapy improved survival in men with prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes after surgery.

Researchers concluded that patients treated with radiation therapy and hormone therapy had a significantly higher survival rate compared to patients treated without radiation or treated with radiation or hormone therapy alone. 

Advanced prostate cancer is cancer that has spread out of the prostate in to the lymph nodes or surrounding organs. Cancer in the lymph nodes may be discovered during surgery to remove the prostate. Hormone therapy is the standard treatment in advanced cancer. It targets the male sex hormones active in cancer, such as testosterone. In some cases additional therapies may be added to improve survival and prognosis, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy directs a beam of radiation at the tumor site, limiting damage caused to the surrounding healthy tissue. 

Recent studies have suggested that adding radiation therapy to hormone therapy can improve survival in patients with prostate cancer spread to the lymph nodes. Further research needs to be carried out to determine the effectiveness.

The aim of this study was to determine whether radiation therapy added to hormone therapy improves survival in men with prostate cancer spread to the lymph nodes after surgery.

7,225 men were included in this study. Each man had prostate cancer spread to the lymph nodes. 50.3% of patients received no treatment after surgery. 28.2% received hormone therapy alone. 4.8% were treated with radiation alone. 21.4% of patients were treated with both radiation therapy and hormone therapy. Patients with a lower Gleason score (a measure of the aggressiveness of the cancer) were more likely to receive no treatment.

5-year survival was 85.2% in patients who received no treatment after surgery. Men who were treated with hormone therapy alone had a survival rate of 82.9%. Radiation alone resulted in a 88.3% 5-year survival rate, while men who were treated with both radiation and hormone therapy had a survival rate of 88.8%. 

Men who received radiation and hormone therapy had a significantly decreased risk of death compared to men who did not receive treatment.  

Researchers concluded that patients treated with radiation therapy and hormone therapy had a significantly higher survival rate compared to patients treated without radiation or treated with radiation or hormone therapy alone.