title: Patients' satisfaction with different modalities of prostate cancer therapy--a retrospective survey among 634 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the overall impact of the most common contemporary prostate cancer therapies (radical prostatectomy, percutaneous irradiation, brachytherapy, hormonal therapy) with regard to physical and psychological well-being, as well as to general patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In October 2006, a questionnaire focused on patients' opinions and satisfaction regarding their previous prostate cancer therapies was published in a patient cancer journal (Krebsmagazin). Results were collected until March, 2007 and analyzed using Wilcoxon and Student's t-tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Answers were obtained from 634 patients (radical prostatectomy: 61%; percutaneous irradiation: 17%; brachytherapy: 2%; hormonal therapy: 15%; other/combined: 5%). Concerning late side effects and convenience of treatment, 96% of all patients who had undergone percutaneous irradiation were very satisfied with their choice and would choose the same therapy again (brachytherapy: 93%; hormonal therapy: 84%; radical prostatectomy: 79%). Erectile dysfunction with inability to perform sexual intercourse was reported by 32% of all patients who underwent percutaneous irradiation (brachytherapy: 21%; hormonal therapy: 63%; radical prostatectomy: 52%). No sexual problems at all were reported by 22% of patients who underwent percutaneous irradiation (brachytherapy: 21%; hormonal therapy: 13%; radical prostatectomy: 4%). With regard to psychological and physical deficits (fear; depression; urinary, bowel, erectile dysfunction; hormonal disorders), percutaneous irradiation was superior to the other treatment options (no deficits: percutaneous irradiation; 49%; brachytherapy: 36%; hormonal therapy: 17%; radical prostatectomy: 15%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiotherapy showed superior results regarding patient convenience and satisfaction in comparison to hormonal therapy and surgery in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer.
authors: Paracelsus Clinic, Osnabrück, Germany. prof.wolfgang.wagner@pk-mx.de
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Wagner
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Bölling
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Hambruegge
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Hartlapp
authors: Manfred G
authors: MG
authors: Krukemeyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal