The effects of radiotherapy on the quality of life in localized prostate cancer patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The present study aims to investigate the radiation-related toxicity and its effects on the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer who received definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). METHODS Eighty-seven localized prostate cancer patients who underwent RT between January 2011 and June 2016 were enrolled. Each patient filled the EORTC QLQC30 and QLQ-PR25 at four different times (starting and ending at RT, one and six months after RT). EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire consists of global health status, five functional (physical, role, cognitive, emotional, social) and nine symptom scales (fa-tigue nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea and financial diffi-culties). EORTC QLQ-PR25 consists of two functional (sexual activity and sexual functioning) and four symptom scales (urinary, bowel, hormonal treatment-related, incontinence aid). RESULTS According 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 question-naire, urinary score (p=0.024) were significantly poorer at the end of RT. When patients’ quality of life questionnaires 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+pelvic lymph node); EORTC QLQ C-30 and EORTC QLQ PR-25 functional and symptom scales were not different between groups. CONCLUSION The RT approach in prostate cancer produced temporary impairment in some scores of QLQ, but all these scores showed improvement from the first month after RT.