Analysis of health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer, one year after treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) alone versus EBRT and high dose rate brachytherapy (HDRBT).
OBJECTIVE
Prostate cancer is the leading form of cancer diagnosed among North American men. Most patients present with localized disease, which can be effectively treated with a variety of different modalities. These are associated with widely different acute and late effects, which can be both physical and psychological in nature. HRQoL concerns are therefore important for these patients for selecting between the different treatment options.


METHODS
One year after receiving radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer 117 patients with localized prostate cancer were invited to participate in a quality of life (QoL) self reported survey. 111 patients consented and participated in the survey, one year after completion of their treatment. 88 patients received EBRT and 23 received EBRT and HDRBT. QoL was compared in the two groups by using a modified version of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P) survey instrument.


RESULTS
One year after completion of treatment, there was no significant difference in overall QoL scores between the two groups of patients. For each component of the modified FACT-P survey, i.e. physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being; there were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In prostate cancer patients treated with EBRT alone versus combined EBRT and HDRBT, there was no significant difference in the QoL scores at one year post-treatment.
Joseph
Kurian Jones
KJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute & University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. kurianjo@cancerboard.ab.ca
Alvi
Riaz
R
Skarsgard
David
D
Tonita
Jon
J
Pervez
Nadeem
N
Small
Cormac
C
Tai
Patricia
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome