Connecting Men, Families, Doctors, and other Medical Professionals to Clinical Trials for Prostate Cancer

        DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

          -  Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate

               -  No small cell, neuroendocrine, or transitional cell carcinoma

          -  Clinically localized, stage T1-3a disease

          -  No radiographic evidence of metastatic disease*, as demonstrated by all of the
             following:

               -  No lymph nodes > 1 cm by CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis or endorectal
                  MRI of the pelvis

                    -  A negative biopsy required for lymph node(s) that measure > 1 cm

                         -  If > 1 lymph node is > 1 cm, the largest or most accessible node is
                            biopsied

               -  Negative bone scan with plain films and/or MRI/CT scan confirmation, if
                  necessary NOTE: *Positive positron emission tomography scan and Prostascint
                  scans are not considered proof of metastatic disease

          -  Serum prostate-specific antigen level <= 100 ng/mL within the past 6 weeks

          -  Patients must have a known Gleason sum based on biopsy or TURP at study entry

          -  High-risk disease, meeting 1 of the following criteria:

               -  Probability of biochemical progression-free survival at 5 years after surgery <
                  60% by Kattan nomogram prediction

               -  Biopsy Gleason score 8 to 10

          -  Deemed an appropriate candidate for radical prostatectomy

        PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

          -  ECOG performance status 0-2

          -  Life expectancy > 10 years

          -  Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/mm^3

          -  Platelet count >= 150,000/mm^3

          -  Creatinine <= 2.0 mg/dL

          -  Bilirubin normal (<= 2.5 times upper limit of normal [ULN] for patients with Gilbert's
             disease)

          -  AST and ALT <= 1.5 times ULN

          -  Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for >= 2 months after
             completion of study treatment

          -  Not at high risk for cardiac complications

               -  Prior deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and/or cerebrovascular
                  accident allowed

        PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

          -  No prior treatment for prostate cancer, including surgery, pelvic lymph node
             dissection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy

               -  Prior transurethral resection of prostate allowed

          -  Prior androgen-deprivation therapy (e.g., luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
             agonists, antiandrogens, or both) lasting <= 3 months allowed

          -  Concurrent systemic anticoagulation allowed

          -  No concurrent oral antiandrogens

          -  No concurrent aprepitant

          -  No other concurrent chemotherapeutic agents except for any of the following:

               -  Steroids given for adrenal failure

               -  Hormones administered for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for
                  diabetes)

               -  Intermittent use of dexamethasone as an antiemetic or as pretreatment for
                  patients receiving docetaxel