OBJECTIVES: To identify complications of various forms of treatments for prostate cancer and their influence on patients' quality of life with the ultimate goal of suggesting a Quality of Life Questionnaire specific for prostate cancer for further validation. METHODS: The literature was screened for reports on the more common complications following various forms of therapy for prostate cancer. Frequencies were summarized. The scarce literature reporting on quality of life in prostate cancer was reviewed and conflicting data were discussed and reassessed. Suggested questionnaires used in other studies were critically scrutinized and the various questions recorded. RESULTS: Following radical surgery, impotence and incontinence were the most common complications reducing patients' quality of life. The literature was not uniform with regard to whether loss of sexual function was regarded as a worse complication than loss of urinary control. Following radiotherapy, intestinal problems and sexual dysfunction were the dominating side effects. Quality of life was best preserved in surveillance-only series. Following endocrine therapy, not only impotence and hot flushes were focused upon, but also mental dysfunction and intestinal dysfunction from nonsteroidal antiandrogens, additionally, the importance of effective palliation was highlighted. A Quality of Life Questionnaire should contain general domains relevant to cancer patients, cancer-specific questions, and prostate-cancer-specific questions. The latter group includes: worry for prostate cancer and its prognosis, bone/pelvic pain, lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, urinary diversion, bowel function, sexual function, endocrine effects, and satisfaction with medical care for prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A modern trial of prostate cancer treatment should be regarded as insufficient without including a validated Quality of Life Questionnaire.
OBJECTIVES: To identify complications of various forms of treatments for prostate cancer and their influence on patients' quality of life with the ultimate goal of suggesting a Quality of Life Questionnaire specific for prostate cancer for further validation. METHODS: The literature was screened for reports on the more common complications following various forms of therapy for prostate cancer. Frequencies were summarized. The scarce literature reporting on quality of life in prostate cancer was reviewed and conflicting data were discussed and reassessed. Suggested questionnaires used in other studies were critically scrutinized and the various questions recorded. RESULTS: Following radical surgery, impotence and incontinence were the most common complications reducing patients' quality of life. The literature was not uniform with regard to whether loss of sexual function was regarded as a worse complication than loss of urinary control. Following radiotherapy, intestinal problems and sexual dysfunction were the dominating side effects. Quality of life was best preserved in surveillance-only series. Following endocrine therapy, not only impotence and hot flushes were focused upon, but also mental dysfunction and intestinal dysfunction from nonsteroidal antiandrogens, additionally, the importance of effective palliation was highlighted. A Quality of Life Questionnaire should contain general domains relevant to cancerpatients, cancer-specific questions, and prostate-cancer-specific questions. The latter group includes: worry for prostate cancer and its prognosis, bone/pelvic pain, lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence, urinary diversion, bowel function, sexual function, endocrine effects, and satisfaction with medical care for prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: A modern trial of prostate cancer treatment should be regarded as insufficient without including a validated Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Authors: Alka Jain; Dianalee A McKnight; Larry W Fisher; Elizabeth B Humphreys; Leslie A Mangold; Alan W Partin; Neal S Fedarko Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2009-08-11 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: Karly M Murphy; Christina Sauer; Dershung Yang; Niina Hass; Kristian Novakovic; Brian Helfand; Robert Nadler; Benjamin D Schalet; David Victorson Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2022 Jan-Feb 01 Impact factor: 2.592
Authors: Carlos Anselmo Lima; Brenda Evelin Barreto da Silva; Evânia Curvelo Hora; Marcela Sampaio Lima; Erika de Abreu Costa Brito; Marceli de Oliveira Santos; Angela Maria da Silva; Marco Antonio Prado Nunes; Hugo Leite de Farias Brito; Marcia Maria Macedo Lima Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 3.240