Munich, Germany (UroToday.com) Dr. Venderbos from Department of Urology, Rotterdam presented on the long-term QoL between non-cancer control cohort, men on active surveillance (AS), and men who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy (RT).
Four group of men were chosen to fill out QoL questionnaires:
1. Men on structured AS protocol (PRIAS)
2. Men who underwent RP in the context of a ERSPC Rotterdam screening study
3. Men who underwent RT
4. Men without cancer who were age matched to the other three groups.
Follow-up in the AS, RP and RT group was more than 4 years. The questionnaires used were (1) general health (SF-12), (2) respondent’s self-rated health (EQ-VAS), (3) generic anxiety (STAI-6), (4) Prostate cancer related anxiety (MAX-PC, AS patients only), (5) urinary, bowel and sexual function (EPIC). Differences in these questionnaires were assessed across all groups.
Response rates to the questionnaires were similar 73% (AS), 67% (RP), 67% (RT), and 75% (non-cancer control). Men on AS tended to be younger and more often educated. Compared to RP group, the AS group had better urinary function (p<0.001), less urinary incontinence (p<0.001), and better sexual function (p<0.001). Compared to RT, AS group had better sexual function (p = 0.001). The QoL of men on AS was similar to those of non-cancer controls.
With > 4 year follow-up, the QoL of men on AS was better than those men who underwent treatment and was similar to men without prostate cancer. Generalized anxiety levels were also low in men who chose AS.
In conclusion, the analysis on QoL between treatment and AS cohort highlights that long-term QoL is stable and favors AS. Low-risk prostate cancer patients need to be appropriately counseled on QoL when choosing AS versus treatment.
Presented By:
Venderbos L.D.F.1, Aluwini S.A.2, Roobol M.J.1, Bokhorst L.P.1, Oomens E.H.G.M.3, Bangma C.H.1, Korfage I.J.4
Reported By:
Mohammed Haseebuddin, MD, at the 31st Annual EAU Congress - March 12 - 15, 2016 – Munich, Germany
Fox Chase Cancer Center