Prospective study of quality of life of patients receiving treatment for prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
No research was found that compared quality of life (QOL) outcomes of prostate cancer patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapies with prostate cancer patients receiving radical prostatectomy.


OBJECTIVE
To (a) describe differences in QOL before and after three types of treatment for prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy + seed implantation (permanent brachytherapy), or intensity-modulated radiation therapy + high dose rate radiotherapy (temporary brachytherapy); and (b) investigate demographic, physical, and psychosocial variables that impact QOL of men with prostate cancer.


METHODS
Data were collected on three occasions: baseline (prior to treatment), 1 month, and 3 months after beginning treatment. Measures included biographic data, physiological, and psychological measures. Analysis of variance and hierarchical regression were used to examine patterns, describe differences, and identify predictors of QOL in the three treatment groups. QOL was conceptualized as a multidimensional construct that included physical, psychological, social, and functional well-being and prostate cancer concerns.


RESULTS
Groups differed significantly in bowel and urinary symptom scores and prostate cancer concerns at baseline, and in urinary and depressive symptoms at 3 months. There were no significant group differences at 1 month.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences were found in QOL as measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Prostate after treatment with radical prostatectomy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy + seed implantation, or intensity-modulated radiation therapy + high dose rate radiotherapy. Findings may provide healthcare providers with knowledge about treatment sequelae for prostate cancer, enable healthcare providers to educate patients about QOL outcomes of treatment for prostate cancer, and enable patients to make more informed treatment decisions.
Eller
Lucille Sanzero
LS
College of Nursing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 180 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. eller@andromeda.rutgers.edu
Lev
Elise L
EL
Gejerman
Glen
G
Colella
Joan
J
Esposito
Michael
M
Lanteri
Vincent
V
Scheuch
John
J
Munver
Ravi
R
Lane
Patricia
P
Junchaya
Claudia
C
Alves
Laura
L
Galli
Bernadette
B
Watson
Richard
R
Sawczuk
Ihor
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001918:Brachytherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis