Burden of Illness in Prostate Cancer Patients with a Low-to-Moderate Risk of Progression: A One-Year, Pan-European Observational Study

Abstract EN

Objective.

To assess the impact of low-to-moderate risk prostate cancer on patients’ quality of life (QoL) at diagnosis and within the first year of treatment.

Subjects and Methods.

Men ( n = 672 ) aged 50–75 years with prostate cancer (Gleason score ≤ 7 , PSA ≤ 20 ng/mL and clinical staging T1c–T2b) were enrolled in five European countries.

Patients completed five questionnaires, including EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire—Prostate Cancer 25 (QLQ-PR25) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire—Cancer 30 (QLQ-C30).

Questionnaires were completed at baseline, at 3 months and 12 months after starting treatment.

The primary endpoint was the change in QLQ-PR25 urinary symptoms subscale score from baseline to the assessment at 3 months.

Results.

Mean (SD) age was 65.0 (5.7) years and 400 (66%) men had Gleason score ≤6 prostate cancer.

The most frequently used initial treatment was radical prostatectomy (71% of patients).

QLQ-PR25 urinary symptoms subscale score was significantly increased at 3 months ( P < 0.001 ), indicating that urinary symptoms worsened after treatment.

The score was lower at 12 months than at 3 months, but it was still significantly higher than at baseline ( P < 0.001 ).

Hormonal treatment-related symptoms, sexual functioning, and sexual activity scores significantly worsened at 3 and 12 months (all P < 0.001 ).

For the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, global health status/QoL score significantly decreased at month 3 but was not different from baseline by month 12.

Scales for physical, role, and social functioning, and fatigue, showed significant deterioration at 3 and 12 months.

Conclusions.

Low-to-moderate risk prostate cancer may have a substantial effect on patients’ QoL within one year following treatment.