Prospective Longitudinal Comparative Study of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Radical Prostatectomy or Permanent Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

To determine health‑related quality of life (HRQOL after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP or permanent prostate brachytherapy (BT third party‑conducted QOL surveys were prospectively com‑ pared. Between 2004 and 2005 37 patients underwent RRP and 36 were treated with BT. A QOL survey consisting of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‑Item Short Form (SF‑36 the University of California Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA‑PCI and the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS was completed prospectively by a research coordinator at baseline and at 1 3 6 and 12 months after treatment. The RRP patients scored well in general QOL except at 1 month after sur‑ gery with their mental health better than at baseline by 6 months after surgery. Disease‑specific QOL in RRP patients received a low score at 1 month for both urinary and sexual function though urinary function rapidly recovered to baseline levels. BT patient QOL was not affected by the therapy except in the IPSS score. However general and mental health scores in BT patients were inferior to those in RRP patients. This prospective study revealed differences in QOL after RRP and BT. These results will be helpful in making treatment decisions.