Giuseppe De Vincentis1, Fabio Monari2, Sergio Baldari3, Matteo Salgarello4, Viviana Frantellizzi1, Elisabetta Salvi2, Luigi Reale5, Silvia Napolitano5, Giario Conti6,7, Enrico Cortesi8. 1. Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology & Anatomo-Pathology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 2. UO Metabolic Radiation Unit Bologna, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. 3. Department of Biomedical Sciences & Morphological & Functional Images, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy. 4. Division of Nuclear Medicine, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Negraro (VR), Italy. 5. ISTUD Foundation, Healthcare Area, Milan, Italy. 6. Department of Urology, Sant'Anna Hospital, Como, Italy. 7. Segretario Nazionale della Società Italiana di Urologia Oncologica (SIUrO), Bologna, Italy. 8. Medical Oncology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
AIM: To describe the journey of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in treatment with radium-223. METHODS: A multiperspective analysis was performed using narrative medicine in four Italian centers. RESULTS: The substantial impact of mCRPC on quality of life through all phases of the disease was described. After an initial lack of awareness of the disease or denial of its effects, symptoms of pain, fatigue and side effects often led to sadness, fear and loneliness. The majority underwent radium-223 therapy positively, restoring their quality of life and routine activities. CONCLUSION: Using narrative medicine, the importance of a patient-centered approach in the pathway of care for patients with mCRPC through all the stages of the disease was highlighted.
AIM: To describe the journey of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in treatment with radium-223. METHODS: A multiperspective analysis was performed using narrative medicine in four Italian centers. RESULTS: The substantial impact of mCRPC on quality of life through all phases of the disease was described. After an initial lack of awareness of the disease or denial of its effects, symptoms of pain, fatigue and side effects often led to sadness, fear and loneliness. The majority underwent radium-223 therapy positively, restoring their quality of life and routine activities. CONCLUSION: Using narrative medicine, the importance of a patient-centered approach in the pathway of care for patients with mCRPC through all the stages of the disease was highlighted.
Entities:
Keywords:
metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; narrative medicine; quality of life