A prospective longitudinal study comparing a radical retropubic prostatectomy and permanent prostate brachytherapy regarding the health-related quality of life for localized prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after a radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) or a permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) was prospectively compared at a single institute.


METHODS
Between 2003 and 2005, 122 patients were treated by RRP and 82 patients were treated by PPB. A QOL survey was completed at baseline, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, prospectively.


RESULTS
The general HRQOL was not different between the RRP and PPB groups after 3 months. However, at 1 month after treatment, the general HRQOL scores, except for general health, were significantly better in the PPB group than that in the RRP group. Moreover, the disease-specific QOL was worse in urinary and sexual functions in the RRP group. Urinary function in the RRP group had not recovered to baseline after 12 months. Although the urinary function in the PPB group was better than that of the RRP group, urinary bother continued to worsen until 6 months and thereafter it recovered gradually. The bowel function was not worse in the PPB group but bowel bother was worse at 6 months in the PPB group. In the RRP group, the patients with nerve sparing demonstrated better in sexual function than those without nerve sparing, but the recovery did not reach the level of the PPB group.


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective study revealed the differences in the QOL after RRP and PPB. These results will be helpful for making treatment decisions.
Hashine
Katsuyoshi
K
National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, 160 Minamiumemoto, Matsuyama 791-0280, Japan. khashine@shikoku-cc.go.jp
Kusuhara
Yoshito
Y
Miura
Noriyoshi
N
Shirato
Akitomi
A
Sumiyoshi
Yoshiteru
Y
Kataoka
Masaaki
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen