Quality of life in patients with prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Quality of life (QOL) issues are important for patients with prostate cancer because side effects from treatment are substantial, while the disease itself may be indolent. This article reviews prostate cancer QOL studies.


METHODS
Selected studies published on QOL in prostate cancer using validated patient-assessed tools from the last 5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Prostate cancer treatments are associated with side effects: prostatectomy has more urinary and sexual side effects, while external radiation therapy has more bowel symptoms. Side effects are not highly correlated with overall QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients must be made aware of potential gains in life expectancy as well as side effects of treatments to make informed decisions about treatment.
McPherson
C P
CP
Park Nicollet Institute, 3800 Park Nicollet Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416-2699, USA.
Swenson
K K
KK
Kjellberg
J
J
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology