Longitudinal analysis of quality of life in patients receiving conformal radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively assess quality of life (QoL) in patients receiving conformal radiation therapy (CRT) for prostate cancer.


METHODS
78 men with definitive CRT for prostate cancer were entered into the study. Patients were assessed before CRT, at 40 and 60 Gy, and 2, 12 and 24 months after the end of treatment. QoL was assessed using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and the prostate module PR25. Changes in mean QoL scores with time of >or= 10 points were considered clinically relevant.


RESULTS
Global QoL did not change statistically significant during CRT and was slightly above baseline levels during follow-up. CRT had a statistically significant negative short-term impact on role functioning, fatigue, and PR25 urinary symptoms. The scores recovered within 2 months to 1 year after CRT. Emotional functioning and social functioning scores slightly increased during and after CRT. Role functioning decreased by > 10 points at 60 Gy and urinary symptoms decreased by > 10 points at 40 and 60 Gy. All other differences were < 10 points. A high number of concomitant diseases and having no children were negative pretreatment predictors for long-term global QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Definitive CRT for prostate cancer does not compromise global QoL during therapy and up to 2 years after treatment. It has a limited negative effect on role functioning, urinary symptoms and, to a lesser extent, on fatigue with restitution within 2 months to 1 year after treatment.
Geinitz
Hans
H
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany. hans.geinitz@lrz.tu-muenchen.de.|Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie und Radiologische Onkologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Ismaninger Straße 22, 81675, München, Germany. hans.geinitz@lrz.tu-muenchen.de.
Thamm
Reinhard
R
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Scholz
Christian
C
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Heinrich
Christine
C
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Prause
Nina
N
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Kerndl
Simone
S
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Keller
Monika
M
Psychooncology Section, Department of Psychosomatic and General Clinical Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Busch
Raymonde
R
Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Molls
Michael
M
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
Zimmermann
Frank B
FB
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003556:Cystitis / Q000523:psychology; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004751:Enteritis / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal