OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term quality of life (QoL) outcomes of three treatments for localized prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy (RP); brachytherapy monotherapy (BTM); and BT combined with external beam radiotherapy (BTC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In August 2000, questionnaires were mailed to men with T1c-T3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated with either RP, BTM ((103)Pd monotherapy) or BTC. Questionnaires included validated outcome measures, i.e. the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G), American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS), Urinary Function Questionnaire for men after RP, and the Brief Sexual Function Inventory. Returned questionnaires were assessed using cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS: Data from 214 patients were included in the analysis (60 RP, 102 BTM and 52 BTC); the median follow-up was 18.8, 25.5 and 29.9 months, respectively. There were differences between both BT groups and the RP group in total AUA-SS and obstructive subscale symptom scores, with the former having worse symptom scores at a longer follow-up. Differences in overall QoL were not detected between groups using the total FACT-G but the BTC group generally had worse scores in the physical well-being subscale. The BT groups had higher continence rates with time after treatment. Sexual function was better with BT initially, but these differences did not persist at a longer follow-up. There were significant correlations between the FACT-G and the urinary symptom scores, and the degree of sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients treated with BTM and RP have a different spectrum of side-effects, their overall long-term QoL is similar, with urinary and sexual function being the primary determinants of this outcome. Men treated with BTC have a worse QoL.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term quality of life (QoL) outcomes of three treatments for localized prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy (RP); brachytherapy monotherapy (BTM); and BT combined with external beam radiotherapy (BTC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In August 2000, questionnaires were mailed to men with T1c-T3 adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated with either RP, BTM ((103)Pd monotherapy) or BTC. Questionnaires included validated outcome measures, i.e. the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G), American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS), Urinary Function Questionnaire for men after RP, and the Brief Sexual Function Inventory. Returned questionnaires were assessed using cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS: Data from 214 patients were included in the analysis (60 RP, 102 BTM and 52 BTC); the median follow-up was 18.8, 25.5 and 29.9 months, respectively. There were differences between both BT groups and the RP group in total AUA-SS and obstructive subscale symptom scores, with the former having worse symptom scores at a longer follow-up. Differences in overall QoL were not detected between groups using the total FACT-G but the BTC group generally had worse scores in the physical well-being subscale. The BT groups had higher continence rates with time after treatment. Sexual function was better with BT initially, but these differences did not persist at a longer follow-up. There were significant correlations between the FACT-G and the urinary symptom scores, and the degree of sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients treated with BTM and RP have a different spectrum of side-effects, their overall long-term QoL is similar, with urinary and sexual function being the primary determinants of this outcome. Men treated with BTC have a worse QoL.
Authors: Cenk Acar; Cecile C Schoffelmeer; Corin Tillier; Willem de Blok; Erik van Muilekom; Henk G van der Poel Journal: J Endourol Date: 2013-09-27 Impact factor: 2.942
Authors: Cristina García-Sánchez; Ana A Román Martín; J Manuel Conde-Sánchez; C Belén Congregado-Ruíz; Ignacio Osman-García; Rafael A Medina-López Journal: Int Braz J Urol Date: 2017 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.541