Radiation therapy of prostate cancer: rationale, pitfalls and the continuing prospect of success forged by medical physics

Radiation therapy aimed at curing prostate cancer forms a considerable workload in most contemporary radiation oncology departments. The wide range of currently available therapeutic strategies for this cancer and their increasing complexity further increases the impact these patients have within the treating unit. Grounded in basic anatomy, physiology and pathology, the rationale for the division of prostate cancers into different prognostic and therapeutic groups is discussed, and put into clinical context using the current research evidence base. Weaknesses in this evidence base are highlighted in relation to areas directly impacted on by the work of medical physics.