title: The quality-of-life impact of prostate cancer treatments.
abstract: Many options exist for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. In the decision to choose a therapeutic option for localized disease, many variables need to be considered such as tumor characteristics, clinical stage, the patient's overall health and life expectancy, and preferences of both the physician and patient. Another important consideration is the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) implications of a given treatment option. The importance of HRQOL relative to the potential side effects of prostate cancer treatments has grown over the past few years. Although our collective awareness has increased, objective data on HRQOL for prostate cancer treatment are lacking due to a paucity of prospective clinical trial data. This review defines the concept of HRQOL, discusses what is currently known about the impact of various treatments on HRQOL, and summarizes the recent literature in this area relating to the management of localized prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, 1025 Walnut Street, Suite 1112, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Jaspreet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Edouard J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Trabulsi
authors.forename: Leonard G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Gomella
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome