PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men 
and remains the second most lethal malignancy. Most patients undergoing 
treatment elect for radical prostatectomy or radiation. As the number of 
patients treated has increased and survival improved, delayed complications of 
these modalities has assumed increased importance. Recent studies report an 
increased risk of certain cancers after radiation for prostate cancer. This 
review aims to summarize recent data.
RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have confirmed the association of prostate 
radiation with secondary cancers. The most common secondary malignancy is 
bladder carcinoma. We have treated 44 patients with bladder cancer who had 
radiation therapy for prostate cancer. At diagnosis, 60% had tumor, which 
invaded the bladder muscle (T2 or greater disease). The mean latency from 
radiation to diagnosis of bladder cancer was 5.5 years.
SUMMARY: Radiation therapy for prostate cancer is associated with an increased 
risk of bladder cancer. In our series, patients presented at higher stage than 
expected from population-based studies of bladder cancer. Patients and their 
physicians should be aware of such risks when choosing therapy for prostate 
cancer. Hematuria following radiation therapy for prostate cancer should be 
investigated rather than being attributed to radiation-induced cystitis.