Impact of age on quality of life in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with high-dose rate brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate age-related quality of life changes in patients with localized prostate cancer treated by high-dose rate brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy.

METHODS: A total of 172 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were categorized to age groups <75 years and ≥75 years. Changes in their quality of life were evaluated using the Japanese version of Medical Outcome Study 8-Items Short Form Health Survey, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and International Index of Erectile Function-5 at baseline, and followed up to 24 months after treatment.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in Medical Outcome Study 8-Items Short Form Health Survey scores, and urinary and bowel scores of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite for older men after treatment. International Index of Erectile Function-5 summary scores were significantly decreased in both groups. Although sexual function and sexual bother scores were decreased in patients aged <75 years, these scores were maintained in patients aged ≥75 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life of prostate cancer patients undergoing high-dose rate brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation therapy does not seem to be significantly affected by age.