Changes in quality of life after radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer after dissemination of intensity modulated radiation therapy

Abstract

Objective

It is unclear whether the adoption of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer is associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Therefore, we examined the HRQOL of elderly patients who had undergone external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) during two eras: 1998–2001, when 3D-CRT was the standard of care for EBRT, and 2006–2009, when IMRT was the dominant form of EBRT.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey was used to obtain HRQOL measurements of Medicare beneficiaries who had received external beam radiotherapy for nonmetastatic prostate cancer. A total of 90 patients during the early era and 75 patients during the late era had eligible surveys both before and after diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to compare change in HRQOL from baseline to follow-up as measured by physical and mental component scores between patients during the two different eras.

Results

During the first 2 years after treatment, mental component scores at follow-up among patients during the early era declined significantly but no such decline was observed among patients during the late era (beta = 5.18; p = 0.008 late vs. early era). No difference in change in physical component scores was found between the two eras.

Conclusions

HRQOL as measured by mental component scores were improved among prostate cancer patients in the era of IMRT compared to prior.

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