[Prehabilitation prior to radical prostatectomy : A useful concept?] / Prähabilitation vor radikaler Prostatektomie : Ein sinnvolles Konzept?

Against the background of a continuous improvement of established treatment outcomes and the compatibility of health economic considerations, pre- and perioperative processes are constantly being developed and further optimized. In recent years, the concept of prehabilitation has gained increasing importance as a proactive approach to preparing patients for mostly surgical cancer treatment and improving their physical and mental health. Prehabilitation in oncology is a systematic process aimed at improving the physical, psychosocial, and nutritional condition of patients before and during cancer treatment. The goal of prehabilitation is to enhance patients' ability to cope with the physiological stress of cancer treatment and improve their overall health and well-being. In addition, prehabilitation has the potential to reduce costs for the healthcare system.

Representações sociais de corpo após o adoecimento por câncer na próstata / Social representations of the body after the illness by prostate cancer / Representaciones sociales del cuerpo después de la enfermedad por cáncer prostático

O estudo tem como objetivo identificar e analisar as Representações Sociais de corpo para homens após o adoecimento por câncer na próstata. Foram realizadas entrevistas narrativas com oito homens com idade entre 50 e 70 anos, diagnosticados com câncer na próstata e que realizaram tratamento oncológico há pelo menos um ano. As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas e analisadas por meio da Abordagem Fenomenológica Interpretativa. Os resultados apontam que antes do adoecimento, os participantes representavam seus corpos como fortes, resistentes e saudáveis, tendo no modelo de masculinidade hegemônica um importante ponto de ancoragem para estas representações. A ausência de sintomas que provocassem desconfortos corporais contribuiu para a percepção de corpo saudável. A busca por serviços de saúde somente ocorreu após a manifestação e agravamentos dos primeiros sintomas, que limitaram suas ações diárias e alteraram o seu cotidiano. O adoecimento por câncer na próstata e as propostas de tratamento oncológico, em especial, a prostatectomia, foram destacados pelos participantes como uma experiência marcante e produtora de grande desconforto físico e psicológico. Após o adoecimento, os homens passaram a representar os seus corpos como frágeis, doentes e debilitados. Os entrevistados chamam a atenção para o impacto das transformações corporais, especialmente aquelas relacionadas às disfunções sexuais e urológicas, nos modos de pensar, sentir e agir, em relação à própria masculinidade. Nesse sentido, as limitações impostas pelo adoecimento e tratamento oncológico se contrapõem ao modelo de masculinidade hegemônica, favorecendo o sentimento de ser menos homem do que antes do adoecimento.

This study aims to identify and analyze the social representations of body for men after the illness from prostate cancer. Narrative interviews were conducted with 08 men with ages ranging from 50 and 70 years, diagnosed with this disease and who had undergone oncological treatment, for at least one year. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach. The results show thatbefore the illness, the participants represented their bodies as strong, resistant and healthy taking in the hegemonic masculinity model an important anchorage point for these representations. The absence of symptoms that cause bodily discomforts contributed to the feeling of healthy body. The search for health services only occurred after the manifestation of the first symptoms and its exacerbations, which limited their daily actions and change their daily lives. Participants mentioned the illness by prostate cancer and oncological treatment proposals, in particular the prostatectomy, as a remarkable experience that producer of great physical and psychological discomfort. After the illness, the men began to represent their bodies as fragile, sick and weak.Those interviewed point to the impact of body changes, especially those related to sexual and urological dysfunctions in ways of thinking, feeling and acting in relation to his masculinity. Accordingly, the limitations imposed by illness and oncological treatments are opposed to the hegemonic masculinity model, favoring the feeling of being less a man than before the illness.

Este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar las representaciones sociales del cuerpo para hombres después de la enfermedad de cáncer prostático. Se realizaron entrevistas narrativas con 08 hombres con edad entre 50 y 70 años, diagnosticados concáncer prostático y que se sometieron al tratamiento del cáncer hace un año. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas, transcritas y analizadas usando el Enfoque Fenomenológico Interpretativo. Los resultados muestran que, antes de la enfermedad, los participantes representaban sus cuerpos como fuertes, robustos y saludables, teniendo en el modelo de masculinidad hegemónica un punto de anclaje importante para estas representaciones. La inexistencia de síntomas que provocasen malestares corporales contribuyó a la percepción de cuerpo sano. La procura por servicios de salud solo ocurrió después de la manifestación y empeoramiento de los primeros síntomas, que limitaron las acciones diarias y cambiaron su cotidiano. La enfermedad por cáncer prostático y las propuestas de tratamiento oncológico, en especial, la prostatectomía, fueron percibidas por los participantes como una experiencia fuerte y que produce grande malestar físico y psicológico. Después de la enfermedad, los hombres pasaron a representar sus cuerpos como frágiles, enfermos y débiles, produciendo la sensación de ser "menos hombre." Los entrevistados enfatizan el impacto de los cambios corporales, sobretodo, aquellos relacionados a las discapacidades sexuales y urológicas, en los modos de pensar, sentir y actuar, sobre su propia masculinidad. Las limitaciones impuestas por la enfermedad y el tratamiento del cáncer se oponen al modelo de masculinidad hegemónica, favoreciendo la sensación de ser menos hombre que antes de la enfermedad.

Longitudinal assessment of quality of life after surgery, conformal brachytherapy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: We evaluated quality-of-life changes (QoL) in 907 patients treated with either radical prostatectomy (open or laparoscopic), real-time planned conformal brachytherapy, or high-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on a prospective IRB-approved longitudinal study. METHODS: Validated questionnaires given pretreatment (baseline) and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months addressed urinary function, urinary bother, bowel function, bowel bother, sexual function, and sexual bother. RESULTS: At 48 months, surgery had significantly higher urinary incontinence than others (both P<.001), but fewer urinary irritation/obstruction symptoms (all P<.001). Very low levels of bowel dysfunction were observed and only small subsets in each group showed rectal bleeding. Brachytherapy and IMRT showed better sexual function than surgery accounting for baseline function and other factors (delta 14.29 of 100, 95% CI, 8.57-20.01; and delta 10.5, 95% CI, 3.78-17.88). Sexual bother was similar. Four-year outcomes showed persistent urinary incontinence for surgery with more obstructive urinary symptoms for radiotherapy. Using modern radiotherapy delivery, bowel function deterioration is less-often observed. Sexual function was strongly affected in all groups yet significantly less for radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment selection should include patient preferences and balance predicted disease-free survival over a projected time vs potential impairment of QoL important for the patient.

História natural do comprimento peniano após prostatectomia radical: um estudo prospectivo de longo prazo / Natural history of penile length after radical prostatectomy: a prospective long-term

A prostatectomia radical (PR) é um dos procedimentos mais utilizados para o tratamento do câncer de próstata (CaP) localizado, porém apesar da maior compreensão da anatomia local e do desenvolvimento tecnológico, esta cirurgia permanece associada à elevada morbidade na esfera sexual. A redução do comprimento peniano após a PR é uma queixa freqüente na prática urológica, porém não há dados na literatura a respeito da variação deste comprimento em um longo período de acompanhamento. A determinação da história natural do comprimento peniano após PR, assim como possíveis fatores de risco ou de proteção é de fundamental importância para o aconselhamento e tratamento dos pacientes submetidos a esta cirurgia. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar a história natural do comprimento peniano após a PR em um acompanhamento de cinco anos, assim como avaliar o papel da função erétil na variação do comprimento peniano destes pacientes. Foram avaliados prospectivamente os comprimentos penianos de 105 pacientes com câncer de próstata localizado submetidos PR aberta. Participação em programas de reabilitação peniana e deformidades anatômicas do pênis foram considerados critérios de exclusão. A medição do comprimento real peniano sob máxima tração (CRTmax) foi realizada antes da PR e aos 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 e 60 meses no pós-operatório. O domínio da função erétil do índice internacional de função erétil (IIEF-EF) foi utilizado para avaliar a função erétil. Houve redução média de 1 cm no CRTmax em 3 meses após a PR e essa diferença permaneceu até 24 meses (p<0,001). Após este período, a diferença reduziu gradativamente, deixando de ser estatisticamente significativa em 48 meses (-0,3 cm, p=0,080) e 60 meses (+0,4 cm, p=0,065). A função erétil foi um preditor para o retorno precoce do comprimento do pênis. Um encurtamento peniano médio de 1 cm é esperado nos primeiros 24 meses após PR. No entanto, há uma tendência para a recuperação deste comprimento após 24 meses...

Radical prostatectomy (RP) is one of the most common treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa), but despite the advances in the local anatomy knowledge and the technological development, this surgery remains related to high morbidity in the sexual sphere. The reduction in penile length after RP is a common complaint in urologic practice, but there is no data regarding this issue in a long follow-up period. The determination of the natural history of penile length after RP and possible risk factor is necessary for the counseling and treatment of patients undergoing this surgery. The objective of this study is to determine the natural history of penile length after RP in a five years follow-up and to investigate the role of erectile function in the penile length variation. We prospectively evaluated the penile length of 105 patients with localized prostate cancer submitted to open RP. Participation in penile rehabilitation programs and anatomical deformities of the penis were considered exclusion criteria. Measurements of the real length under maximum penile traction (RSLmax) were performed before and after RP at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months postoperatively. The erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) was used to assess erectile function. There was a mean reduction of 1 cm in RSLmax in 3 months after the PR and this difference remained up to 24 months (p <0.001). After this period, the difference decreased gradually and was not statistically significant at 48 months (-0.3 cm, p = 0.080) and 60 months (+0.4 cm, p = 0.065). Erectile function was a predictor for the early recovery of penile length. In conclusion, a mean penile shortening about 1 cm is expected in the first 24 months after RP. However, there is a tendency for the recovery of this length after 24 months postoperatively, with a return to the original length at 48 months. The normal erectile function after RP is a predictor for early recovery...

Urinary incontinence in men after formal one-to-one pelvic-floor muscle training following radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (MAPS): two parallel randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence is common immediately after prostate surgery. Men are often advised to do pelvic-floor exercises, but evidence to support this is inconclusive. Our aim was to establish if formal one-to-one pelvic floor muscle training reduces incontinence. METHODS: We undertook two randomised trials in men in the UK who were incontinent 6 weeks after radical prostatectomy (trial 1) or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP; trial 2) to compare four sessions with a therapist over 3 months with standard care and lifestyle advice only. Randomisation was by remote computer allocation. Our primary endpoints, collected via postal questionnaires, were participants' reports of urinary incontinence and incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) after 12 months. Group assignment was masked from outcome assessors, but this masking was not possible for participants or caregivers. We used intention-to-treat analyses to compare the primary outcome at 12 months. This study is registered, number ISRCTN87696430. FINDINGS: In the intervention group in trial 1, the rate of urinary incontinence at 12 months (148 [76%] of 196) was not significantly different from the control group (151 [77%] of 195; absolute risk difference [RD] -1·9%, 95% CI -10 to 6). In trial 2, the difference in the rate of urinary incontinence at 12 months (126 [65%] of 194) from the control group was not significant (125 [62%] of 203; RD 3·4%, 95% CI -6 to 13). Adjusting for minimisation factors or doing treatment-received analyses did not change these results in either trial. No adverse effects were reported. In both trials, the intervention resulted in higher mean costs per patient (£180 and £209 respectively) but we did not identify evidence of an economically important difference in QALYs (0·002 [95% CI -0·027 to 0·023] and -0·00003 [-0·026 to 0·026]). INTERPRETATION: In settings where information about pelvic-floor exercise is widely available, one-to-one conservative physical therapy for men who are incontinent after prostate surgery is unlikely to be effective or cost effective. The high rates of persisting incontinence after 12 months suggest a substantial unrecognised and unmet need for management in these men. FUNDING: National Institute of Health Research, Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) Programme.

Impact of delaying 5-alpha reductase inhibitor therapy in men on alpha-blocker therapy to treat BPH: assessment of acute urinary retention and prostate-related surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacologic treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) commonly includes alpha-blockers (ABs) and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs). Many clinicians use ABs for rapid symptom control and 5ARIs to modify long-term disease progression. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical impact of delayed 5ARI therapy in patients treated with AB for lower urinary tract symptoms. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using two nationally representative databases, two retrospective analyses were conducted including patients aged > or =50 years treated for BPH between 2000 and 2007. Clinical outcomes for those using add-on 5ARI therapy early (within 30 days of initiating AB) and late (>30 days after initiating AB) were compared. Likelihood of clinical progression, defined as the presence of acute urinary retention (AUR) and prostate surgery, was assessed over 1 year after AB initiation, and modeled as a function of the treatment cohorts and the following baseline covariates: AUR, BPH stage, Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, and number of unique diagnosis codes, unique non-BPH-related classes of prescriptions filled, and specialty care. RESULTS: Of 6896 men included in the analyses, approximately 60% initiated 5ARI therapy within 30 days of AB therapy (the early cohort). Patients in the early cohort were less likely to have clinical progression. Each 30-day delay in starting 5ARIs resulted in an increased likelihood of overall clinical progression (average 21.1%), AUR (average 18.6%), and prostate-related surgery (average 26.7%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that delaying 5ARI therapy in men with BPH increases the risk of AUR and prostate surgery. LIMITATIONS: Confounding factors, such as symptom severity and prostate volume, may have influenced the findings of the study.

Follow up of men post-prostatectomy: who is responsible?

INTRODUCTION: Men living with prostate cancer represent a large, at-risk population deserving access to comprehensive follow-up services stemming from chronic aspects of living with the disease. Current research about the quality and accessibility of prostate cancer follow-up services is limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the patient, provider, and health plan characteristics speculated to influence prostate cancer follow-up care. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study of men living with prostate cancer, treated by radical prostatectomy within the past 3 to 5 years was conducted. Subjects were surveyed regarding follow-up care, type of providers visited, current health status, late-term effects, health behaviors, and health plan requirements. Data obtained analyzed associations among patient, provider, and health plan characteristics in relation to the use of post-prostatectomy follow-up services. RESULTS: Post-prostatectomy, all men participated in follow-up visits to a cancer care provider (urologist) and were monitored for recurrence by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Fewer men had rectal examinations performed. For nearly half of the men, the general medical provider duplicated the PSA test, indicating a lack of coordination among providers. Almost all men had health insurance; no subjects identified barriers to care because of health plan rules or out-of-pocket expenses. Persistent late effects included urinary incontinence (60%) and erectile dysfunction (71.9%). No significant associations were found among patient, provider, and health plan characteristics to their utilization. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, men living with prostate cancer post-prostatectomy received ongoing follow-up health care, some of which was duplicated. Most experienced late adverse effects and many had other health problems. Nurses are uniquely positioned to assume a central role in promoting access to comprehensive, non- duplicative post-prostatectomy follow-up care. Additionally, nurses can provide effective counseling, advocacy, and education for men living with prostate cancer.

[Management of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy. Urologists' assessment vs patient survey responses]. / Versorgung der erektilen Dysfunktion nach radikaler Prostatektomie in Deutschland. Einschätzung durch den Urologen vs. Patientenbefragung.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this national study was to evaluate ED management after RPX (without any postoperative adjuvant therapy or tumor relapse) from the patient's view compared to the urologist's view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In May 2003 we queried 1063 urologists and 801 patients following radical prostatectomy without adjuvant therapy. They were asked about preserved potency without erectile aid, existing wish for ED therapy, recommended or tested erectile aid (oral, transurethral, intracorporal, vacuum constriction device[VCD], penile implant) as well as the long-term use. Return rate: patients 80.1%, urologists 26.7%. RESULTS: According to the urologists' view 9.1% of their affected patients were potent postoperatively without a device, but according to the polled patients only 4.7%. The wish to be treated for erectile dysfunction existed in the urologists' opinion in 46.1% of their patients, while they considered that 44.8% had no wish for treatment. On the other hand, 59.3% of the patients would like to be treated and only 28.5% did not want any kind of treatment. Regarding the long-term use of therapy for ED, the urologists thought that 26.1% of their patients did not receive therapy for the problem, and 69.7% of the patients stated they received no long-term therapy. Only 30.3% of the patients confirmed long-term therapy, while the urologists thought that 73.9% of the patients used an erectile aid. Definite therapy in the urologists' opinion involved: oral medication in 38.4%, MUSE in 3.6%, (SKAT) in 37.3%, VCD in 20.4%, and a prosthesis in 0.3%. Indeed 19.8% of the patients used oral medication, 1.7% MUSE, 26.7% SKAT, 50.9% VCD, and 0.9% penile implant. Considering the satisfaction of patients, urologists thought that 46.2% of the patients were satisfied with their treatment of ED, but only 28.9% of the patients were actually satisfied themselves. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of patients' and urologists' views shows a clearly different description of the ED situation after RPX. The proportion of patients with a wish for treatment and the proportion of dissatisfied patients are much higher from the patients' view. This demonstrates an undertreatment of ED patients after RPX, which should also be taken into account under the current changes in the German health care system.

[Electrostimulation in therapy of postoperative urinary incontinence. Therapeutic value for quality of life]. / Die Elektrostimulation in der Therapie der postoperativen Harninkontinenz. Therapeutischer Nutzen unter Berücksichtigung der Lebensqualität.

Worldwide use of electrical stimulation for therapy of postoperative incontinence is based on a few prospective randomized controlled studies. We present a three-arm prospective randomized study evaluating physiotherapeutic pelvic floor training alone and in combination with transanal or perineal electrical stimulation. The study compared specific continence training (CT) and a combination of CT with transanal or perineal electrostimulation. The groups included 60 patients each and were analyzed with regard to self-assessment, objective characteristics of incontinence, standard quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C 30), and recorded data of the stimulation device. The patients participated in a specific inpatient rehabilitation program and were assessed at the time of admittance, upon discharge, and again after 3 months. Significant improvement could be achieved in every group concerning urinary incontinence and quality of life. Additional use of electrical stimulation was significantly superior to physiotherapeutic training alone. However, these results could only be detected in a highly compliant subgroup. Analysis of device data indicated a high score of errors and lack of patient compliance. Perineal electrical stimulation was better accepted than transanal and showed less side effects and better outcome in the characteristics of incontinence. Improvement in the quality of life was mostly achieved during the weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Electrical stimulation could not improve quality of life items. Electrical stimulation is an efficient instrument for treatment of postoperative high-grade incontinence, however, only with sufficient patient compliance.

Prevention of urinary incontinence in adults: population-based strategies.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects large numbers of adults, especially older adults, with an estimated 200 million adults worldwide having this life-altering condition. OBJECTIVES: To identify key populations at risk for urinary incontinence and propose population-based strategies to promote continence with a substantive focus on UI prevention. METHODS: Critical review of extant literature and iterative synthesis were undertaken to generate an action plan to guide future UI prevention research. RESULTS: Key populations identified to be at risk for UI are women in selected occupations, childbearing women, older adults with lifestyle risk factors, older adults with comorbid conditions, and nursing home residents. Population-based research activities are proposed. Growing evidence supports the benefit of pelvic floor muscle training to prevent childbirth and prostatectomy-related UI. Bladder training has demonstrated preventive capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its high prevalence and chronic but preventable nature, UI is most appropriately considered a public health problem. Nursing research is needed to test prevention programs for UI using a population-based public health focus.

Behavioral therapies at the primary care level: the current state of knowledge.

Urinary incontinence, the complaint of any involuntary loss of urine, is a troubling symptom experienced by men and women of all ages. Options for treatment include a range of behavioral, pharmacologic, and surgical therapies. Behavioral therapies, such as dietary modification, pelvic floor muscle training, and bladder training, are noninvasive, with little risk of side effects, and experts agree they should represent the first line of treatment whenever possible. These therapies can be initiated and monitored at the primary care level, thereby enhancing the accessibility of care for those affected. The purpose of this article is to methodically review what is and is not known about behavioral therapies, with attention to research needs. Although there is clear evidence for pelvic floor muscle training in women with urinary incontinence and modest evidence in men for a short time after radical prostatectomy, less is known about bladder training, prompted voiding, habit retraining, and timed voiding. Additional research is required to enhance our understanding of the comparative efficacy of behavioral interventions in specific populations. This research must take an increasingly long-term focus, given the potentially chronic nature of urinary incontinence.

Radical perineal prostatectomy: cost efficient, outcome effective, minimally invasive prostate cancer management.

OBJECTIVE: Localized prostate cancer is a common disease for which minimally invasive treatment methods are being explored. Perineal prostatectomy, as a historical open procedure, is modified to incorporate contemporary surgical ideas. There is relatively little in the literature regarding modern adaptations of perineal prostatectomy. This method of anatomic radical perineal prostatectomy has been developed to accomplish a minimally invasive method of achieving goals of disease control and preservation of genito-urinary functions. METHODS: Prospective outcome data is accumulated on 508 consecutive radical perineal prostatectomies by a single surgeon. Pathologic stage and PSA detectability are measures of cancer control. Pad use and ability to complete intercourse measure urinary and sexual function. General complications and other outcome measures are evaluated. RESULTS: Freedom from PSA detectability by pathologic stage is 96.3%, 79.4%, and 69.4% for organ confined, specimen confined and margin positive in the absence of seminal vesical invasion with an average 4 years follow up (3-114 months). Margins are positive in 18% of cases. The average cancer size is 9.4g and 36% of cases have extracapsular invasion. By the first, third, sixth months and one year, 38%, 65%, 88% and 96% are free of pad use and report being dry. While over 80% of nerve-spared patients enjoy the return of spontaneous erectile function, the men with bilateral nerve preservation note earlier and more complete return of function. There are no cardiopulmonary complications or deaths. Transfusions occurred in 1%, none in the past 400 cases. Average total hospital charges are USD$4889.00 in 1999 and 2000. Anterior urethral strictures, anastomotic strictures and fecal urgency/stress flatus occur 2%, 2% and 2-4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This method of prostatectomy is able to achieve complete cancer resection while preserving urinary and sexual function as well as laparoscopic or retropubic prostatectomy. The simplicity and minimally invasive nature of this procedure contribute to a short recovery and low overall cost of therapy. The anatomic radical perineal prostatectomy is a cost-efficient, outcome effective minimally invasive method of treating men with localized prostate cancer.

[Assessment of quality of life after transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

The quality of life (QOL) after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was studied. A total of 113 patients were operated and released, and 86 (76%) cases responded to the TURP follow-up survey. The average age was 69 years and the average time elapsed after the operation was 220 days. Data regarding the patients undergoing TURP was gathered from a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions concerning the preoperative condition and 28 about the post-operative state. Performance status was not changed post-TURP. The patients showed improvements in nocturia, pollakisuria and dysuria. These urological symptoms were in accordance with the findings of uroflowmetry and American Urological Association Symptom Index. Ten questions addressing the patients mental and physical conditions revealed that good quality was generally retained. Sexual activity showed a tendency of gradual decrease in relation to increasing age. Ejaculatory function and actual satisfaction with the sexual act were obviously damaged by the operation. TURP showed no changes in regard to morning erection, sexual desire in an arousing atmosphere, penile hardness at sex and total satisfaction with the sexual life. Social life, family life and mental status were not influenced, but the physical status of 21 (26%) of the patients was decreased by the operation and hospital stay. Over all, 78% of the patients could maintain a good quality of life in post-TURP.