A qualitative research study in Japan investigating patients' experience with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: from diagnosis to decision for Ra-223 treatment.

This qualitative study aimed to reveal symptoms and impacts among bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (or mCRPC) Japanese patients, prior to Radium-223 (Ra-223) treatment. Twenty-three mCRPC patients designated to receive Ra-223 and three treating physicians (Ra-223 prescribers) in Japan, were interviewed. All interview data were assessed for concept frequency, themes and saturation. Forty-five percent of the patients (mean age: 75.8 years) were symptomatic at the time of enrollment. Interviews with all patients revealed 47 mCRPC symptoms, including back pain and bone-specific pain, and 45 life impacts, including worry about disease progression and the impact on daily, physical activities. The symptoms and impacts of living with mCRPC and the associated burden of bone metastasis and skeletal-related symptoms are varied and are important considerations for treatment.