QUALITY OF LIFE ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS WHO UNDERWENT HIGH DOSE RATE BRACHYTHERAPY WITH EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY (HDR+EBRT) COMPARING WITH THOSE WHO HAD RETROPUBIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (RRP)

Abstract

The mean age of BT and RP treated patients was 68 and 64 years. 71,7% (n=620) of RP treated patients had non-nerve-sparing surgery. 89,3% (n=303) and 90,6% (n=770) of the BT and RP treated patients had clinical tumor stage of cT1a-2b. Significant better results in concern of increased voiding frequency (BT 67,8% vs. RP 60,4%), nocturia (BT 43,7% vs. RP 28,9%) and urge symptoms (BT 47,4% vs. RP 36,4%) were recognized at the RP treated group. Significant better results in term of incontinence was achieved in the BT group (BT 11,6% vs. RP 15,6%), but interestingly the group with nerve sparing RP showed almost similar results to BT (BT 11,6% and nerve-sparing RP 11,2%). Absence of erections was reported by 43% of the BT, 85% of RP without nerve sparing, 45% of RP with unilateral nerve sparing and 38% of the RP with bilateral nerve sparing. CONCLUSIONS: In regards to functional outcome BT causes significant higher rates of irritative voiding symptoms. However continence and Preservation of erectile function seems superior in BT compared to RP patients without nerve sparing. Nevertheless differences became minor or insignificant in RP with bilateral nerve sparing.