Researchers studied more than 14,000 intermediate risk prostate cancer patients for an average of nine years. The men were divided into two groups.
One group received eight weeks of hormone therapy before beginning radiation and the second group received 28 weeks of the treatment.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say overall both groups had a similar survival rate after they received eight weeks of radiation. But those patients who received the longer course of hormone therapy had more side effects including hot flashes and erectile dysfunction.
The study is being presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting which is being held in Atlanta.
