Changes in lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life after salvage radiotherapy for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer

Abstract

Background and purposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate chronologic changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), health-related (HR) quality of life (QOL), and disease-specific QOL during the first 12months after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. Materials and methodsIn 81 patients who received SRT (70Gy/35fr/7weeks), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 36-Item Short Form scores, and UCLA-Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) were recorded before, during, and immediately after SRT, and 1–12months after the completion of SRT. ResultsThe total IPSS and storage symptom-related sum were significantly increased following initiation of SRT, and returned to the baseline 6months after SRT. For three of eight domains of HRQOL, and the physical component summary score showed transient deterioration in the period between completion of SRT and 1month following SRT. The UCLA-PCI for urinary function/bother and bowel function/bother was affected until 1–6months after SRT. ConclusionsThis is the first report to concurrently evaluate detailed chronologic changes in LUTS and QOL in patients who received SRT. Knowledge of changes in LUTS and QOL outcomes associated with SRT may influence treatment recommendations and enable patients to make better-informed decisions.