Health-Related Quality of Life in Japanese Patients Treated with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) for Localized ProstateCancer: Three-Year Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Evaluations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing treatment with IMRT with or without androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Method: Changes in physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) summary scores were evaluated at eight time points up to three years after IMRT using SF-8 questionnaires, employing longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses. The effect of the combination of ADT and patient age on the PCS and MCS was also evaluated.

Results: A significant increase in MCS was observed longitudinally after IMRT in all patients, with no change in PCS. Significant increases in MCS were observed in patients receiving IMRT alone and in those receiving IMRT in combination with ADT. However, no change in PCS was observed, regardless of whether ADT was administered. A significant increase in MCS was observed regardless of whether ADT was administered in combination, but no change in PCS. PCS were higher in younger patients than in older patients, regardless of the ADT combination used. However, the difference was more pronounced in patients treated with IMRT alone. Patients treated with IMRT alone had a lower baseline MCS than those receiving combined ADT. Nevertheless, the MCS increased significantly at 6 months after IMRT, eliminating the difference between the two groups.

Conclusions: While IMRT reduces adverse events and minimizes the deterioration in HRQoL in patients with localized prostate cancer, changes in PCS and MCS are influenced by ADT and patient age.