The Effects of Radiotherapy on the Quality of Life in Localized Prostate Cancer Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVEThe present study aims to investigate the radiation-related toxicity and its effects on the quality of life inpatients with prostate cancer who received definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).METHODSEighty-seven localized prostate cancer patients who underwent RT between January 2011 and June 2016were enrolled. Each patient filled the EORTC QLQC30 and QLQ-PR25 at four different times (startingand ending at RT, one and six months after RT). EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire consists of globalhealth status, five functional (physical, role, cognitive, emotional, social) and nine symptom scales (fatiguenausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea and financial difficulties).EORTC QLQ-PR25 consists of two functional (sexual activity and sexual functioning) and foursymptom scales (urinary, bowel, hormonal treatment-related, incontinence aid).RESULTSAccording to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, global health status score (p=0.007), emotional score(p=0.016), fatigue (p=0.004) and diarrhea score (p=0.003); according to EORTC QLQPR25 questionnaire,urinary score (p=0.024) were significantly poorer at the end of RT. When patients’ quality of lifequestionnaires were compared concerning treatment type (definitive vs. adjuvant RT), RT technique(3D CRT vs. IMRT) and RT field (prostate/prostate+seminal vesicle vs. prostate+seminal vesicle+pelviclymph node); EORTC QLQ C-30 and EORTC QLQ PR-25 functional and symptom scales were not differentbetween groups.CONCLUSIONThe RT approach in prostate cancer produced temporary impairment in some scores of QLQ, but allthese scores showed improvement from the first month after RT.