The 5-year follow up data from a study on localized prostate cancer has shown high rates of bladder, lung, and rectal cancers in men treated with external beam radiotherapy compared with radical prostatectomy. At 10 years of follow-up, only excess lung cancer risk was significant, and the authors conclude that increased secondary malignancy risk with radiation should be included in initial treatment decisions and counseling. In my opinion, younger men subjected to radiation might suffer more in the long-term than if they had undergone surgery.
