Comparison of quality of life after radical treatment in prostate cancer: radical prostatectomy versus external radiotherapy

Objective: To assess and compare the functional and quality of life results in patients treated with curative intent for localized prostate cancer during 2015 in our hospital. Method: 77 patients treated by radical prostatectomy or external radiotherapy with androgen deprivation were prospective enrolled. Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) questionnaire at 3-year follow-up and Spanish Questionnaire on Quality of Life in Patients with Prostate Cancer (CAVIPRES-30) at diagnosis and at 3-year follow-up were registered. Results: 68 patients were included, 39 patients treated by radical prostatectomy and 29 received external radiotherapy with androgen deprivation. Among the operated patients, 61.5% were dry and 17.9% use three or more daily pads, compared to 72.4% and 6.8%, respectively, in the radiotherapy group. 48.7% of prostatectomized patients reported very poor or no capacity to have a sufficiently rigid erection, compared to 69% of the radiated group. After surgery, 43.6% considered bad or very bad quality-of-life, compared to 68.9% in the radiotherapy group. In the comparison of the data of the pre and post-treatment questionnaire can be seen that the patients had a superior perception before the procedure. Conclusions: Patients treated by surgery have a better perception of quality-of-life compared to those treated by radiotherapy.