Quality of life in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy compared with those who underwent low-dose-rate brachytherapy

Prostate. 2023 May;83(7):701-712. doi: 10.1002/pros.24507. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

Abstract

Background: To compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) or low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT) for prostate cancer.

Methods: We enrolled patients who underwent LDR-BT (LDR-BT alone [n = 540] or LDR-BT plus external beam radiation therapy [n = 428]) and RARP (n = 142). QOL was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM), and 8-item Short Form (SF-8) health survey. The two groups were compared using propensity score matching analysis.

Results: At 24 months after treatment, the number of patients with worsened urinary QOL in the urinary domain of EPIC compared with baseline was 78/111 (70%) and 63/137 (46%) in the RARP and LDR-BT groups, respectively (p < 0.001). In the urinary incontinence and function domain, this number was higher in the RARP group versus the LDR-BT group. However, in the urinary irritative/obstructive domain, the number of patients with improved urinary QOL at 24 months compared with baseline was 18/111 (16%) and 9/137 (7%), respectively (p = 0.01). Regarding the SHIM score, sexual domain of EPIC, and mental component summary of SF-8, there were more number of patients with worsened QOL in the RARP group than in the LDR-BT group. In the EPIC bowel domain, the number of patients with worsened QOL was lower in the RARP group versus the LDR-BT group.

Conclusion: The differences in QOL observed between patients treated with RARP and LDR-BT could assist in treatment selection for prostate cancer.

Keywords: brachytherapy; prostatectomy; quality of life; robotics; sexual health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostate
  • Prostatectomy / adverse effects
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / etiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Quality of Life
  • Robotics*