Quality of life of men treated for localized prostate cancer: outcomes at 6 and 12 months.
OBJECTIVE
Treatments for early-stage prostate cancer (PCa) are highly effective; therefore, research studies that explore quality of life (QOL) issues associated with different treatments are important. The purposes of this study were to (a) examine differences among treatment groups of men treated with either radiation therapies or radical prostatectomy for PCa and (b) examine quality of life outcomes over time.


METHODS
We report outcomes 6 and 12 months after 159 men began treatment for PCa with either one of two types of radiation treatment (intensity-modulated radiation therapy plus high dose rate or intensity-modulated radiation therapy plus seed implantation) or radical prostatectomy.


RESULTS
Significant differences among groups are described. Significant predictors of QOL at 6 months included urinary, bowel, and sexual symptoms, anxiety, depression, problem-focused coping, and physiological self-efficacy. Significant predictors of QOL at 12 months were urinary and bowel symptoms, stress, depression, problem-focused coping, and physiological self-efficacy. Demographic variables, race, and living status were significant predictors of quality of life at 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Physiological symptoms and psychological symptoms were both significant predictors of QOL. The psychological factors that predicted quality of life in this study have potential for intervention and point to the next stage of the research.
Lev
Elise L
EL
College of Nursing, Rutgers University, 180 University Av., Newark, NJ 07102, USA. eliselev@rutgers.edu
Eller
Lucille Sanzero
LS
Gejerman
Glen
G
Kolassa
John
J
Colella
Joan
J
Pezzino
Janine
J
Lane
Patricia
P
Munver
Ravi
R
Esposito
Michael
M
Sheuch
John
J
Lanteri
Vincent
V
Sawczuk
Ihor
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013997:Time Factors