title: Longitudinal analysis of quality of life in patients receiving conformal radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Geinitz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thamm
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prause
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kerndl
authors.affiliation: Psychooncology Section, Department of Psychosomatic and General Clinical Medicine, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Raymonde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molls
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy and Radiooncology, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal