Quality of life after radical prostatectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy is now widely used as a 'cure' for prostate cancer. There is a vast difference between potential cure and quality of life. We sought to ascertain the thoughts and feelings of men who had 'recovered' from surgery, to discover the perceived benefits and shortfalls to this intervention. Patients and methods: Fifty consecutive patients attended for interview where specified nurse-practitioners worked through a quality-of-life questionnaire, concentrating on the preconceived problems that might be encountered. Because some of the questions were personal, a one-to-one interview, although time-consuming, was chosen. Results: Provisional results show that despite complications and the significant implications of surgery, the pursuit of a cure was the most important factor for the patient. Patients' perceptions of their ability to maintain previous activities of daily living had an impact on their perception of quality of life. Surprisingly, impotence in itself did not contribute to a perceived reduction in quality of life. Conclusion: It is hoped that the progression of this study will influence theory and practice for the development of patientorientated care. It is anticipated that better information can be gathered on treatment choices and the aftercare to support these choices, thus redressing the balance between survival and quality of life. © 1998 British Journal of Urology.