OMAHA, Neb. -- Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center are working on a new treatment for late-stage prostate cancer that uses high-dose radiation.

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Once prostate cancer gets to the advanced stage, patients are usually given only months to live, reported television station KETV in Omaha.

The university's study is a treatment combining hormonal therapy, radiation and chemotherapy in a way that has never been done before. It's called IMRT. A high dose of radiation is used for nine weeks to attack the prostate and anywhere else in the body where the cancer may have spread. The radiation is administered from seven angles.

"We are hoping by doing this, we can be more effective about treating cancer on a local level, and at minimum, delaying the time the cancer will cause problems down the road," said Dr. Ralph J. Hauke.

Gordon Hauptman, 57, was a participant in the most recent study of the treatment. His cancer had spread from his prostate into his lymph nodes. He finished treatment last week and is hopeful about his prognosis.

"I worked every day, didn't change hours a bit, so I was happy to get through it with minimal side effects," Hauptman said.