A Phase III Protocol of Androgen Suppression (AS) and 3DCRT/IMRT Vs AS and 3DCTR/IMRT Followed by Chemotherapy With Docetaxel and Prednisone for Localized, High-Risk, Prostate Cancer

RATIONALE: Androgens can cause the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hormone therapy using
drugs, such as leuprolide, goserelin, flutamide, or bicalutamide, may fight prostate cancer
by lowering the amount of androgens the body makes. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays
to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel and prednisone, work in
different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping
them from dividing. It is not yet known whether giving hormone therapy and radiation therapy
together with chemotherapy is more effective than giving hormone therapy together with
radiation therapy in treating prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying hormone therapy and radiation therapy
followed by docetaxel and prednisone to see how well it works compared to hormone therapy and
radiation therapy in treating patients with localized prostate cancer.