Patient perception and treatment satisfaction related to curative therpies in localized prostate cancer

Abstract

Objective: To assess and compare the treatment perception and satisfaction of the patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and external beam radiotherapy (RT) for localized prostate cancer. Material and Methods: The treatment decision, satisfaction and post-treatment parameters of 45 (53.5%) and 39 (46.5%) patients who underwent RRP and RT, respectively for localized prostate cancer between 2003 and 2008 were evaluated with a form consisting of 17 questions. The data obtained from these two groups were compared with each other. Results: The mean age of the patients who underwent RT and RRP were 72.12 ±5.41 and 62.63 ±8.46 years, respectively (p<0.001). Of patients, 68 (81%) declared that they were mostly satisfied with their treatment modalities. Fourteen (31.1%) cases in RRP and 17 (43.6%) cases in RT group thought that their cancer was not completely treated (p=0.200). When impotence, incontinence and bowel problems following both treatment modalities were considered, only bowel problems were detected more frequently in RT group group compared to RRP group (p=0.036). Fourteen (35.9%) patients in RT group and 21 (46.7%) patients in RRP group declared their overall health status as very good or perfect after the treatment (p=0.811). Conclusion: The vast majority of the patients who were treated with either RT or RRP for localized prostate cancer are satisfied with these treatments. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.