Patient-reported Quality of Life After SBRT, LDR, and HDR Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Comparison of Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We sought to compare changes in patient-reported quality of life (PRQOL) following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), high dose rate (HDR), and low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Sexual Health Inventory For Men (SHIM), and Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite Short Form (EPIC-26) were prospectively collected for men with low/intermediate-risk cancer treated at a single institution. We used Generalized Estimating Equations to identify associations between variables and early (3 to 6 mo) or late (1 to 2 y) PRQOL scores. Minimally important differences (MID) were compared with assess clinical relevance. RESULTS: A total of 342 LDR, 159 HDR, and 112 SBRT patients treated from 2001 to 2018 were eligible. Gleason score, PSA, and age were lower among LDR patients compared with HDR/SBRT. Unadjusted baseline IPSS score was similar among all groups. Adjusted IPSS worsened at all time points compared with baseline after LDR/HDR. At early/late time points, rates of IPSS MID after LDR were higher compared to HDR/SBRT. There were no IPSS differences between SBRT and HDR. All modalities showed early and late SHIM worsening. There were no temporal differences in SHIM between SBRT and brachytherapy. There were no differences in EPIC subdomains between HDR and SBRT. Bowel symptoms worsened early after SBRT, whereas urinary irritative/obstructive symptoms worsened late after HDR. Among all domains, MID after SBRT and HDR were similar. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patients treated with modern radiotherapy techniques, HDR and SBRT resulted in clinically meaningful improved urinary PRQOL compared with LDR.

[Brachytherapy in France in 2020: State of the art and perspectives from the Groupe curiethérapie de la SFRO]. / Curiethérapie en France en 2020 : synthèse et perspectives du Groupe curiethérapie de la Société française de radiothérapie oncologique.

Because of its principle and its high proof level clinical results, brachytherapy represents a specific irradiation technique for the treatment of primary tumors as well as some local relapses in pre-irradiated area. After a glory period between the 80's and 90's, brachytherapy has progressively lost its attractiveness. In order to provide a practical solution to this deleterious situation, it is important that guardianships, health care payers, patient associations, specialist doctors and radiation oncologists understand the reasons leading to this harmful state as well as the risks concerned. A teaching judged insufficient, non-adapted value and an aging image of brachytherapy represent the three main reasons of this degradation and constitute the three most important challenges conditioning its maintain in the anticancer treatment arsenal. An adapted communication with radiation oncologists themselves but also with the other scientific societies remains crucial as well as with guardianship and patient associations. It is central that brachytherapy could be recognized in order to make it stronger and accessible for all the patients who could need it.

Effect of Surgeon Factors on Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes After Breast-Conserving Therapy in Older Breast Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: The effect of surgeon factors on patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is unknown and may help patients make informed care decisions. METHODS: We performed a survey study of women aged ≥ 67 years with non-metastatic breast cancer diagnosed in 2009 and treated with guideline-concordant BCT, to determine the association of surgeon factors with patient-reported outcomes. The treating surgeon was identified using Medicare claims, and surgeon factors were identified via the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The primary outcome was patient-reported cosmetic satisfaction measured by the Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team (CanSORT) Satisfaction with Breast Cosmetic Outcome instrument, while secondary outcomes included BREAST-Q subdomains. All patient, treatment, and surgeon covariables were included in a saturated multivariable linear regression model with backward elimination applied until remaining variables were p < 0.1. RESULTS: Of 1650 women randomly selected to receive the questionnaire, 489 responded, of whom 289 underwent BCT. Median age at diagnosis was 72 years and the time from diagnosis to survey was 6 years. The mean adjusted CanSORT score was higher for patients treated by surgical oncologists than patients treated by non-surgical oncologists (4.01 [95% confidence interval [CI] 3.65-4.38] vs. 3.53 [95% CI 3.28-3.77], p = 0.006). Similarly, mean adjusted BREAST-Q Physical Well-Being (91.97 [95% CI 86.13-97.80] vs. 83.04 [95% CI 80.85-85.22], p = 0.006) and Adverse Radiation Effects (95.28 [95% CI 91.25-99.31] vs. 88.90 [95% CI 86.23-91.57], p = 0.004) scores were better among patients treated by surgical oncologists. CONCLUSIONS: Specialized surgical oncology training is associated with improved long-term patient-reported outcomes. These findings underscore the value of specialized training and may be useful to patients choosing their care team.

Clinical and Psychological Outcomes of the Use of Vaginal Dilators After Gynaecological Brachytherapy: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions of the vaginal canal in patients undergoing gynaecological brachytherapy and the effect of the use of vaginal dilators (VD) used in the follow-up of pelvic physiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 88 patients were randomly allocated to the control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). Three evaluations were performed: pre-brachytherapy, post-brachytherapy and follow-up of 3 months. The CG received standard guidance from the health team while the IG was instructed to use VD for 3 months. The dimensions of the vaginal canal (main outcome) were defined by the length of the vagina (centimetres), width (number of full clockwise turns of the opening thread of a gynaecological speculum) and area (defined by the size of the VD). Quality of life and pelvic floor (PF) functionality were also evaluated. RESULTS: There was no effect of the VD on vaginal length, width and area among the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. However, in the analysis stratified by adhesion, the CG had a significant decrease in the vaginal area. PF was predominantly hypoactive throughout the follow-up. Quality of life improved in both groups, but the reduction of constipation, vaginal dryness and stress urinary incontinence manifested only in the IG. CONCLUSION: The use of VD did not alter the dimensions of the vaginal canal within the first 3 months after the end of radiotherapy treatment. However, there was a large sample loss during follow-up so studies with a larger sample number and longer follow-up time need to be conducted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03090217.

Local Therapy Decisional Regret in Older Women With Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: Older women with nonmetastatic breast cancer can often choose from several surgery and radiation treatment options. Little is known regarding how these choices contribute to decisional regret, which is a negative emotion reflecting the idea that another surgery or radiation decision might have been preferable. We sought to characterize the burden of and examine potential risk factors for local therapy decisional regret among a population-based cohort of older breast cancer survivors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: National Medicare claims for age ≥67 female breast cancer incident in 2009 identified patients treated with lumpectomy plus whole-breast irradiation, brachytherapy, or endocrine therapy or mastectomy with or without radiation. We sampled 330 patients per treatment group (N = 1650), of whom 1253 agreed to receive a paper survey including the Decisional Regret Scale and EQ-5D-3L Health-Utility Scale. Local therapy regret was defined as neutral or worse response to questions regarding surgery- or radiation-related decisional regret. Local therapy regret risk factors were evaluated using a multivariable generalized linear model. Association of local therapy regret with health utility was modeled using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: The response rate was 30.2% (n = 498 of 1650); 421 surveys were included in this analysis. Median diagnosis age was 72 years, and surveys were completed 6 years after diagnosis. Overall, 23.8% of respondents (n = 100) reported experiencing local therapy decisional regret. Type of local therapy was not associated with local therapy regret. Predictors of increased regret included black race (risk ratio [RR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-3.29), high school education or less (RR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.27-2.75), and axillary nodal dissection (RR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.33-3.41). Local therapy regret was not associated with health utility (P = .37). CONCLUSIONS: Local therapy regret afflicts nearly one quarter of our cohort of older breast cancer survivors, and it is associated with black race, less education, and more extensive nodal dissection, but not breast surgery. Regret is distinct from health utility, suggesting that it is a unique psychosocial construct that merits further study and mitigation strategies.

The experiences of women receiving brachytherapy for cervical cancer: A systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: To determine women's experiences of brachytherapy for cervical cancer. KEY FINDINGS: Nineteen studies were included for data extraction/synthesis. Twelve studies focussed on psychological issues, seven on pharmacological aspects of women's experiences. Themes of anxiety, distress, pain, informational needs and non-pharmacological interventions were found. Nine out of ten psychological studies described brachytherapy as a distressing experience causing anxiety and distress for most women. Non-pharmacological interventions were found to be effective and inexpensive adjuncts. Peri and post-operative pharmacological management was variable, but duration of procedure was an important factor. CONCLUSION: Brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer causes varying levels of pain, anxiety and distress. To improve women's experiences there needs to be better pain management, patient information and the development of non-pharmacological interventions. Future recommendations are to develop clinical support guidelines, audit the quality of services and develop effective interventions to improve women's experiences of brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer.

O significado da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica: abordagem fenomenológica na consulta de enfermagem / El significado del dolor para las mujeres en la braquiterapia ginecológica: enfoque fenomenológico en la consulta de enfermería / The meaning of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy: phenomenological approach in nursing consultation

Objetivo: Identificar a percepção da dor para mulheres em braquiterapia ginecológica na consulta de enfermagem. Método: Estudo qualitativo, realizado entre fevereiro a novembro de 2012, apoiado na abordagem da Fenomenologia Sociológica Compreensiva de Alfred Schutz. Treze mulheres participaram, maiores de dezoito anos, submetidas à braquiterapia ginecológica de dois serviços de radioterapia localizados no Rio de Janeiro e outro em São Paulo. Resultados: Uma característica que sobressaiu a partir dos depoimentos se referiu à dor na braquiterapia ginecológica, em que as mulheres revelaram o anseio por superá-la. Conclusão: Tal anseio independe da idade e do grau de instrução, é comum a todas e oriundo do vivido com o câncer. O que modifica é a maneira como se apresenta e a sua intensidade, que variam conforme a singularidade de cada sujeito

Objetivo: Identificar la percepción del dolor para las mujeres en braquiterapia ginecológica en la consulta de enfermería. Método: Estudio cualitativo, realizado de febrero a noviembre de 2012, a favor del enfoque de la fenomenología sociológica Integral de Alfred Schutz. Los participantes fueron trece las mujeres mayores de dieciocho años sometidos a la braquiterapia ginecológica dos servicios de radioterapia ubicadas en Río de Janeiro y otro en Sao Paulo. Resultados: Una característica que se destacó de los estados mencionados dolor en la braquiterapia ginecológica, en el que las mujeres revelan el deseo de superación. Conclusión: Este deseo es independiente de la edad y nivel de educación, es común a todos y procedentes de los vivos con el cáncer. Lo que cambia es la forma en que se presenta y su intensidad, que varían de acuerdo a la singularidad de cada sujeto

Objective: The study's goal has been to identify the perception of pain for women in gynecological brachytherapy in nursing consultation. Methods: It a qualitative study, carried out from February to November 2012, supported in the approach of the Sociological Phenomenology Comprehensive Alfred Schutz. Participants were thirteen women over eighteen years submitted to gynecological brachytherapy two radiotherapy services located in Rio de Janeiro and another in Sao Paulo. Results: One characteristic that emerged from the statements referred to pain in gynecological brachytherapy, in which women revealed the desire to overcoming it. Conclusion: This desire is independent of age and level of education; it is common to all and coming from the living with cancer. What changes is the way it is presented and its intensity, which vary according to the uniqueness of each subject

Psychological and functional effect of different primary treatments for prostate cancer: A comparative prospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the psychological and functional effect of different primary treatments in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We conducted a single-center prospective non randomized study in a real-life setting using functional and psychological questionnaires in prostate cancer cases submitted to radical prostatectomy, external radiotherapy, or active surveillance. Totally, 220 cases were evaluated at baseline and during the follow-up at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month interval after therapy. Patients self-completed questionnaires on urinary symptoms and incontinence, erectile and bowel function, psychological distress (PD), anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: Several significant differences among the three groups of treatment were found regarding the total score of the functional questionnaires. Regarding PD, cases submitted to radical prostatectomy showed stable scores during all the 12 months of follow-up whereas cases submitted to radiotherapy showed a rapid significant worsening of scores at 1-month interval and persistent also at 6- and 12-month interval. Cases submitted to active surveillance showed a slight and slow worsening of scores only at 12-month interval. PD and depression resulted to be more associated with urinary symptoms than sexual function worsening whereas anxiety resulted to be associated either with urinary symptoms or sexual function worsening. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our comparative and prospective analysis could be used to better inform treatment decision-making. Patients and their teams might wish to know how functional and psychological aspects may differently be influenced by treatment choice.

Long-term Patient-Reported Outcomes in Older Breast Cancer Survivors: A Population-Based Survey Study.

PURPOSE: For older women with breast cancer, local therapy options may include lumpectomy plus whole-breast irradiation (Lump + WBI), lumpectomy plus brachytherapy (Lump + Brachy), lumpectomy alone (Lump alone), mastectomy without radiation therapy (Mast alone), and mastectomy plus radiation therapy (Mast + RT). We surveyed a population-based cohort of older breast cancer survivors to assess the association of local therapy with long-term quality-of-life outcomes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We used nationally comprehensive Medicare claims to identify women aged ≥67 years in whom nonmetastatic breast cancer was diagnosed in 2009, who were treated with 1 of the 5 aforementioned treatment options, and who were still alive in 2015. From this cohort, 1650 patients (330 patients per treatment) were randomly selected. A survey that included the CanSORT (Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team) Satisfaction with Breast Cosmetic Outcome, BREAST-Q, Decisional Regret Scale, and EQ-5D-3L was mailed to potential participants. We used multivariable linear regression to assess associations between local therapy and outcomes after adjusting for patient, disease, and treatment covariates. RESULTS: Among the 489 women who returned the surveys (30% response rate), the median age at diagnosis was 72 years (range, 67-87 years). The interval from diagnosis to survey completion was approximately 6 years for all patients. Compared with Lump + WBI (adjusted score, 3.40), the CanSORT cosmetic satisfaction scores were higher for Lump + Brachy (score, 3.77; P = .007) and Lump alone (score, 3.80; P = .04) and lower for Mast + RT (score, 3.01; P = .006). Similar trends were seen for BREAST-Q cosmetic satisfaction. BREAST-Q psychosocial, sexual, and physical well-being and EQ-5D-3L global health status tended to be better in patients treated with less irradiation and less surgery. BREAST-Q adverse radiation effects were worse for Lump + WBI compared with Lump + Brachy. Decisional regret regarding surgery and radiation therapy did not differ across groups. Compared with patients treated with Lump + WBI, patients treated with Lump + Brachy and Lump alone reported slightly higher rates of in-breast recurrence (excess risk of 5.8% and 6.4%, respectively; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationally diverse cohort, less irradiation and less surgery were associated with better long-term quality-of-life outcomes. However, patient regret regarding surgery and radiation therapy was similar across all groups.

Impact of the Primary Information Source Used for Decision Making on Treatment Perceptions and Regret in Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the primary source of information used by prostate cancer patients to select a radiation treatment on their overall treatment experience and on treatment regret. METHODS: Patients with low to favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, or high-dose rate brachytherapy were surveyed. The questionnaire explored the decision-making experience, treatment experience, and treatment regret. RESULTS: In total, 322 consecutive patients were surveyed with an 86% (n=276) response rate. In total, 48% (n=132) selected their radiation oncologist as the primary information source, 23% (n=62) selected their urologist, 16% (n=44) selected the Internet, 6% (n=17) selected other patients, and 8% (n=21) selected other. In total, 39% of patients who selected the Internet as their primary information source reported their actual treatment experience to be worse than expected versus 13% of respondents who selected their urologist, 12% who selected other patients, and 2% who selected their radiation oncologist (P<0.01). Similarly, 43% who selected the Internet as their primary information source endorsed treatment regret versus 10% who selected their urologist, and 7% who selected their radiation oncologist (P<0.01). On multivariate regression, only patients who selected the Internet as their primary information source were more likely to endorse treatment regret (odds ratio, 46.47; P<0.001) and a worse treatment perception (odds ratio, 83.33; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who used the Internet as their primary information source were significantly more likely to endorse treatment regret and a worse than expected overall treatment experience. These data highlight the potential dangers of Internet-based resources and the importance for physicians to proactively counsel patients.

Longitudinal regret after treatment for low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer patients diagnosed with low- and intermediate-risk disease have several treatment options. Decisional regret after treatment is a concern, especially when poor oncologic outcomes or declines in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) occur. This study assessed determinants of longitudinal decisional regret in prostate cancer patients attending a multidisciplinary clinic and treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy (BT), or active surveillance (AS). METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center who attended a multidisciplinary clinic were enrolled into a prospective study from 2006 to 2014. The Decision Regret Scale was administered at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months posttreatment. HRQoL was also assessed at regular intervals using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and 36-item RAND Medical Outcomes Study Short Form questionnaires. Adjusted probabilities of reporting regret were estimated via multivariable logistic regression fitted with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: A total of 652 patients met the inclusion criteria (395 RP, 141 EBRT, 41 BT, 75 AS). Decisional regret was consistently low after all of these treatments. In multivariable models, only African American race (odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.47) was associated with greater regret across time. Age and control preference were marginally associated with regret. Regret scores were similar between RP patients who did and did not experience biochemical recurrence. Declines in HRQoL were weakly correlated with greater decisional regret. CONCLUSION: In the context of a multidisciplinary clinic, decisional regret did not differ significantly between treatment groups but was greater in African Americans and those reporting poorer HRQoL. Cancer 2017;123:4252-4258. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Exploring Value From the Patient's Perspective Between Modern Radiation Therapy Modalities for Localized Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: Patients' perspectives on their treatment experiences have not been compared between modern radiation modalities for localized prostate cancer. We evaluated treatment regret and patients' perceptions of their treatment experiences to better inform our understanding of a treatment's value. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with localized prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), or high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy between 2008 and 2014 with at least 1 year of follow-up were surveyed. The questionnaire explored the decision-making experience, expectations of toxicities versus the reality, and treatment regret by means of a validated tool. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-nine consecutive patients were surveyed, with an 86% response rate (IMRT, n=74; SBRT, n=108; HDR, n=94). The median patient age and posttreatment follow-up time were 68 years and 47 months, respectively. Eighty-two percent of patients had T1c disease with either Gleason 6 (42%) or Gleason 7 (58%) pathologic features and a median initial prostate-specific antigen of 5.8 ng/mL. Thirteen percent expressed regret with their treatment. Among patients with regret, 71% now wish they had elected for active surveillance. The incidence of regret was significantly different between treatment modalities: 5% of patients treated with SBRT expressed regret versus 18% with HDR and 19% with IMRT (P<.01). On multivariable logistic regression, patients treated with HDR versus SBRT were 7.42 times more likely to have regret, and patients treated with IMRT versus SBRT were 11.11 times more likely to have regret (P<.01 and P<.01, respectively). Significantly more patients treated with SBRT selected that their actual long-term toxicities were significantly less than originally expected, compared with IMRT and HDR patients (SBRT 43% vs IMRT 20% vs HDR 10%, P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: We found significant differences in patients' experiences between SBRT, IMRT, and HDR, with significantly less treatment regret and less toxicity than expected among SBRT patients. The majority of patients with regret would now opt for active surveillance; therefore, pretreatment counseling is essential.

O custo da cura: vivências de conforto e desconforto de mulheres submetidas à braquiterapia / The healing cost: comfort and discomfort experiences of women undergoing brachytherapy / El costo de la curación: experiencias de comodidad e incomodidad de mujeres sometidas a la braquiterapia

Objetivo: Descrever as vivências de conforto e desconforto de mulheres que se submeteram à braquiterapia para tratamento de câncer do colo uterino. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido em 2013, embasado na Teoria do Conforto de Kolcaba e realizado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com oito mulheres que concluíram o tratamento há, no mínimo, seis meses. Resultados: Sobressaíram os seguintes desconfortos: dor do procedimento e dos efeitos pós-tratamento, no contexto físico; medo do desconhecido e do sofrimento, falta de acompanhante, estresse por sentir-se constrangida durante o tratamento, baixa autoestima e trauma psicológico pós-terapia, no contexto psicoespiritual. As medidas de conforto consistiram no diálogo com o profissional, administração de medicações e uso da fé e espiritualidade. Conclusão: Os resultados oferecem subsídios para a prática de profissionais de saúde em relação aos confortos e desconfortos que merecem ser alvo de intervenções na assistência à mulher com câncer.

Objective: To describe the experiences of comfort and discomfort in women who underwent brachytherapy for the treatmentof cervical cancer. Methods: Qualitative study carried out in 2013, based on Kolcaba comfort theory and conducted throughsemi-structured interviews with eight women who have completed treatment, at least, six months ago. Results: The followingdiscomforts stood out: pain in the procedure and in the post-treatment effects, in the physical context; fear of the unknown andsuffering; lack of a companion; stress due to embarrassment during treatment; low self-esteem; and post-therapy psychologicaltrauma, in the psycho-spiritual context. Comfort measures consisted in dialogue with the professional, medication managementand use of faith and spirituality. Conclusion: The results provide support for the practice of health professionals in relation tocomfort and discomfort that deserve to be the target of intervention in terms of the assistance to women with cancer.

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia de comodidad e incomodidad en mujeres que se sometieron a la braquiterapia para tratarel cáncer de cuello uterino. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo realizado en 2013, basado en la teoría de comodidade de Kolcabay realizado con ocho mujeres que completaron el tratamiento hace por lo menos seis meses. Resultados: Se destacan lasincomodidades: dolor del procedimiento y de los efectos después del tratamiento, en el contexto físico; miedo a lo desconocidoy al sufrimiento, el estrés por sentirse avergonzada durante el tratamento y baja autoestima y trauma psicológico después dela terapia, en el contexto psicoespiritual. Las medidas para sentirse confortables consistieron en el diálogo com el profesional,administración de medicamentos y el uso de la fe y la espiritualidad. Conclusiones: Los resultados proporcionan subsídiospara la práctica de los profesionales de la salud relacionada con las comodidades e incomodidades que merecen intervencionesen la atención de las mujeres con cáncer.

The Meaning and Experience of Patients Undergoing Rectal High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a precise form of radiation therapy that targets cancerous tumors by directly applying the radiation source at the site or directly next to the tumor. Patients often experience but underreport pain and anxiety related to cancer treatments. At present, there is no research available concerning the pervasiveness and intensity of patients' pain and anxiety during rectal brachytherapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine patients' thoughts, emotions, coping strategies, physical sensations, and needs during rectal HDR brachytherapy treatment. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with rectal cancer were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative interview following the completion of their brachytherapy treatment delivered at a Montreal-based hospital in Quebec, Canada. RESULTS: The experiences of pain and discomfort varied greatly between patients and were linked to the meaning patients attributed to the treatment itself, sense of time, the body's lithotomic position, insertion of the treatment applicator, and the patients' sense of agency and empowerment during the procedure. Patients drew upon a variety of internal and external resources to help them cope with discomfort. CONCLUSION: Staff need to know about the variation in the physical and emotional experiences of patients undergoing this treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clinical teams can tailor their procedural behavior (eg, using certain language, psychosocial interventions) according to patients' needs to increase patients' comfort and ultimately improve their experience of HDR rectal brachytherapy.

Patient-reported quality of life after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is being used for prostate cancer, but concerns persist about toxicity compared to other radiotherapy options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional pooled cohort analysis of patient-reported quality of life (QOL) [EPIC-26] before and after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), brachytherapy, or SBRT for localized prostate cancer. Data were analyzed by mean domain score, minimal clinically detectable difference (MCD) in domain score, and multivariate analyses to determine factors associated with domain scores at 2-years. RESULTS: Data were analyzed from 803 patients at baseline and 645 at 2-years. Mean declines at 2-years across all patients were -1.9, -4.8, -4.9, and -13.3 points for urinary obstructive, urinary incontinence, bowel, and sexual symptom domains, respectively, corresponding to MCD in 29%, 20%, and 28% of patients. On multivariate analysis (vs. IMRT), brachytherapy had worse urinary irritation at 2-years (-6.8 points, p<0.0001) but no differences in other domains (p>0.15). QOL after SBRT was similar for urinary (p>0.5) and sexual domains (p=0.57), but was associated with better bowel score (+6.7 points, p<0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: QOL 2-years after brachytherapy, IMRT, or SBRT is very good and largely similar, with small differences in urinary and bowel QOL that are likely minimized by modern techniques.

Calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de próstata: Validación de un instrumento para la práctica clínica / Quality of life in patients with prostate cancer: validation of an instrument for clinical practice

OBJETIVO: Actualmente existen instrumentos para evaluar los distintos aspectos en el impacto sobre la calidad de vida en aquellos pacientes portadores de cáncer de próstata que son sometidos a algún tipo de tratamiento, pero la mayoría son de 50 o más preguntas y de difícil aplicación en la práctica clínica. Recientemente se ha publicado la validación en inglés de una versión acortada del instrumento más utilizado para medir la calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de próstata: EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite). Esta versión denominada EPIC-CP (Expanded Prostata Cancer Composite-Clinical Practice) consiste en 16 preguntas dispuestas en una página, de fácil y rápida aplicación clínica. El objetivo primario de este trabajo fue desarrollar y validar el cuestionario EPIC-CP en español como instrumento de evaluación de calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de próstata (CaP). Un objetivo secundario fue la observación de las diferencias de los aspectos que impactan en la calidad de vida entre los pacientes tratados y los candidatos a tratamiento. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una traducción inversa-directa al español de la versión original de la encuesta. Se aplicaron 128 cuestionarios de calidad de vida EPIC-CP y EQ5D (cuestionario de salud del EuroQuol Group Association) a 46 (40%) pacientes candidatos a ser sometidos a diferentes tratamientos - Prostatectomía abierta (PA), Prostatectomía robótica (PR), Braquiterapia (Br) o Radioterapia Conformacional (RC)- y a 82 (64%) pacientes ya tratados (9 PA, 13 PR, 7 Br y 4 RC). Para evaluar la confiabilidad se evaluó la consistencia interna a través del Coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach para cada categoría de la EPIC-CP. Para valorar la sensibilidad al cambio se compararon las puntuaciones en pacientes tratados y no tratados con el test de Suma de Rangos de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: En todos los dominios de la EPIC-CP, se obtuvo un consistencia interna elevada (alfa de Cronbach 0,66-0,9). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la edad ni en el nivel educacional entre pacientes tratados y no tratados. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la puntuación total de la EPIC CP entre pacientes tratados y no tratados en los dominios incontinencia urinaria (p = 0,0002), función intestinal (p = 0,04), sexual (p < 0,0001) y función hormonal (p = 0,002). CONCLUSIÓN: La versión en del EPIC-CP es confiable y válida, por lo que resulta una herramienta útil para medir la calidad de vida en pacientes con CaP, así como el impacto de distintos tratamientos en ella

OBJECTIVES: Currently there are instruments to evaluate the different features of the impact on quality of life in those patients with prostate cancer undergoing any type of treatment, but most of them have 50 or more questions and they are difficult to apply in clinical practice. An English validation of a shortened version of the EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite), the most used instrument to measure the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer, has been published recently. This version called EPIC-CP (Expanded Prostate Cancer Composite-Clinical Practice) consists of 16 questions arranged in a page, for easy and rapid clinical application. The objective of this work is to validate a Spanish version of the EPIC-CP. METHOD: An inversa-directa Spanish translation of the original version was performed. The EPIC-CP and EQ5D questionnaires were applied to 46 patients eligible to be subjected to different treatments - open prostatectomy (OP), Robotic Prostatectomy (RP), brachytherapy (Br) or conformational radiotherapy (CR) - and 82 patients already treated (9 OP, 13 RP, 7 Br, 4 CR). For reliability evaluation, the Cronbach's alpha was used to test the internal consistency for each domain of the EPIC-CP. Treated and untreated patients' scores were compared with the Wilcoxon range sum test to assess the sensitivity to change. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was elevated in all the EPIC-CP domains (near or greater than 0.7), indicating a high internal consistency. There was no significant difference in age and educational level between treated and untreated patients. We found significant differences between treated and untreated patients in the total EPIC CP score, in the domains of urinary incontinence, bowel function, sexual function and hormonal function. CONCLUSIÓN: The Spanish version of the EPIC-CP is reliable and valid, so it is a useful tool to measure the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer, as well as the impact of different treatments

Burden of focal cryoablation versus brachytherapy versus active surveillance in the treatment of very low-risk prostate cancer: a preliminary head-to-head comprehensive assessment.

Focal cryoablation (FC), brachytherapy (B) and active surveillance (AS) were offered to patients diagnosed with very low-risk prostate cancer (VLRPC) in an equal access protocol. Comprehensive validated self-report questionnaires accessed patients' erectile (IIEF-5) and voiding (IPSS) functions, Beck scales measured anxiety (BAI), hopelessness (BHS) and depression (BDI), SF-36 reflected patients' quality of life added to the emotional thermometers including five visual analogue scales (distress, anxiety, depression, anger and need for help). Kruskal-Wallis or ANOVA tests and Spearman's correlations were obtained among groups and studied variables. Thirty patients were included, median follow-up 18 months (15-21). Those on AS (n = 11) were older, presented higher hopelessness (BHS) and lower general health perceptions (SF-36) scores than patients opting for FC (n = 10) and B (n = 9), P = 0.0014, P = 0.0268 and P = 0.0168 respectively. Patients on B had higher IPSS scores compared to those under FC and AC, P = 0.0223. For all 30 included patients, Spearman's correlation (rs ) was very strong between BHS and general health perceptions (rs  = -0.800, P < 0.0001), and weak/moderate between age and BHS (rs  = 0.405, P = 0.026) and age and general health perceptions (rs  = -0.564, P = 0.001). The sample power was >60%. To be considered in patients' counselling and care, current study supports the hypothesis that even VLRPC when untreated undermines psychosocial domains.

Long-term health-related quality of life after primary treatment for localized prostate cancer: results from the CaPSURE registry.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported on late declines and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after prostate cancer (PCa) treatment. OBJECTIVE: We assessed long-term HRQOL following various treatments for localized PCa. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study of HRQOL up to 10 yr after treatment used a prospectively accrued, nationwide PCa registry that collects longitudinal patient-reported HRQOL. INTERVENTION: Various primary treatments for localized PCa. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Medical Outcomes Studies 36-item Short Form and the University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index characterized physical function, mental health, and sexual, urinary, and bowel function and bother. Repeated measures mixed-model analysis assessed change in HRQOL by treatment over time, and logistic regression was used to measure the likelihood of a clinically significant decline in HRQOL. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among 3294 men, 1139 (34%) underwent nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP), 860 (26%) underwent non-NSRP, 684 (21%) underwent brachytherapy, 386 (12%) underwent external beam radiotherapy, 161 (5%) underwent primary androgen deprivation therapy, and 64 (2%) pursued watchful waiting/active surveillance. Median follow-up was 74 mo (interquartile range: 50-102). Most treatments resulted in early declines in HRQOL, with some recovery over the next 1-2 yr and a plateau in scores thereafter. Surgery had the largest impact on sexual function and bother and on urinary function, radiation had the strongest effect on bowel function, and androgen deprivation therapy had the strongest effect on physical function. The main limitation was attrition among the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Although most men experience initial declines in HRQOL in the first 2 yr after treatment, there is little change from 3 to 10 yr and most differences between treatments attenuated over time. PATIENT SUMMARY: Various treatments for prostate cancer result in a distinct constellation of adverse effects on health-related quality of life, which may have a long-term impact. These findings are helpful regarding shared decision making over choice of primary treatment.

The association between race and treatment regret among men with recurrent prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: To examine the impact of race on treatment regret among men with recurrent prostate cancer after surgery or radiation. METHODS: The prospective Comprehensive, Observational, Multicenter, Prostate Adenocarcinoma (COMPARE) registry was used to study a cohort of 484 men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation or brachytherapy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the association between race and treatment regret and to determine whether there was an interaction between race and sexual problems after treatment with regards to treatment regret. RESULTS: Black men (N=78) were significantly more likely to have treatment regret when compared with non-black men (N=406; 21.8% versus 12.6%) on univariable analysis (odds ratio (OR) 1.94; 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.56; P=0.03). On multivariable analysis, black race trended towards but was no longer significantly associated with an increase in treatment regret (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.84 (0.95-3.58); P=0.071). There was an interaction between race and sexual problems after treatment (Pinteraction=0.02) such that among those without sexual problems, black men had more treatment regret than non-black men (26.7% versus 8.4%: AOR 4.68 (1.73-12.63); P=0.002), whereas among those with sexual problems, there was no difference in treatment regret between black and non-black men (18.8% versus 17.3%: AOR 1.04 (0.44-2.46); P=0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Among men with recurrent prostate cancer after surgery or radiation, black men were nearly twice as likely to experience treatment regret. Treating physicians should ensure that patients are fully apprised of the pros and cons of all treatment options to reduce the risk of subsequent regret.

Patient experiences at diagnosis and psychological well-being in prostate cancer: A Finnish national survey.

PURPOSE: Most cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed at an early stage, and men live for many years after diagnosis. Thus, their well-being and quality of life are of great importance. This study investigated patient experiences and psychological well-being in a Finnish national sample of prostate cancer patients who received various types of treatment. METHOD: In a national sample (50%) of prostate cancer patients diagnosed in Finland in 2004, information was collected on the patients' experiences at diagnosis and choice of treatment (e.g. treatment selection, patient satisfaction with care and information, psychological reactions). In 2009, participants were asked about their experiences, and psychological well-being (psychological symptoms, satisfaction with life) was measured. In total, 1239 completed questionnaires (73%) were accepted for the study. Differences between treatments and predictors of psychological well-being were investigated using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. RESULTS: Half of the respondents were satisfied with the care and information they received about the cancer and side effects of treatment. Experiences and psychological well-being were most positive among patients who received brachytherapy and poorest among patients who received hormonal therapy. Patients who underwent prostatectomy or brachytherapy were most likely to have been involved in treatment selection. Negative experiences, such as learning of the diagnosis in an impersonal way and dissatisfaction with the information and care received, were predictive of poorer well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet supportive care and informational needs were common. Experiences and well-being varied between treatments. Patients tended to prefer prostatectomy and brachytherapy. Unmet needs, which would probably be reduced by improvements in care, appear to have a long-lasting impact on patients' psychological well-being.