Perception of body odor-an overlooked consequence of long-term gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the association of long-term gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms with perceived fecal or urine body odor after radiation therapy for prostate cancer and its effect on survivors' quality of life.

METHODS

We used a study-specific questionnaire to measure the occurrence of long-term gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms, the perception of fecal or urine body odor, and quality of life (QoL) 2 to 14 years after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The questionnaire was sent to 895 eligible survivors who assessed symptom occurrence and QoL in the previous 6 months.

RESULTS

We received a filled-in questionnaire from 874 (89 %) men. For the long-term gastrointestinal symptoms, 11/13 were associated with the perception of fecal body odor. For the long-term urinary symptoms, 11/11 were associated with the perception of urine body odor. Men who perceived fecal or urine body odor had a lower quality of life, a lower physical health, and more frequent feelings of depression compared with those who did perceive such body odor.

CONCLUSION

Long-term gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms after prostate irradiation are associated with the perception of fecal or urine body odor leading to a reduced quality of life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Disabling body odor after pelvic irradiation needs to be acknowledged in the clinic. Interventions to prevent long-term symptoms may serve the benefit of avoiding fecal or urine body odor after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.