DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary prostate cancer OR sclerotic bone metastases (for patients with serum prostate-specific antigen > 100 ng/mL)
• Radiologically confirmed bone metastases by plain x-ray, isotope scan, CT scan, or MRI
• Clinical diagnosis of metastatic bone pain for which radiotherapy is indicated
• Single localized metastatic bone pain AND receiving optimal analgesics and adjuvant drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, unless contraindicated

• Hormone receptor status:

  • Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• Over 18

Sex

• Male

Menopausal status

• Not specified

Performance status

• Not specified

Life expectancy

• At least 3 months

Hematopoietic

• Not specified

Hepatic

• Not specified

Renal

• Creatinine ≤ 3.0 mg/dL
• No hypercalcemia (corrected calcium > 10.8 mg/dL)
• No hypocalcemia (corrected calcium < 8.2 mg/dL)

Other

• No known hypersensitivity to ibandronate or other bisphosphonates
• No history of aspirin-sensitive asthma
• Able to comply with pain chart and quality of life assessments

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior change in systemic chemotherapy
• No prior high-dose chemotherapy (dose intensity > 3 times standard dose)

Endocrine therapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior change in hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior external beam radiotherapy to index site
• No prior systemic radioisotope therapy (e.g., strontium chloride Sr 89 or samarium Sm 153 lexidronam pentasodium)

Surgery

• Not specified

Other

• More than 6 months since prior bisphosphonate treatment
• More than 4 weeks since prior aminoglycoside antibiotics
• More than 30 days since prior investigational drugs