Long-term satisfaction with curative treatment and follow-up in prostate cancer survivors.

PURPOSE

In a cross-sectional observational study to explore long-term satisfaction with treatment among men who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) or definitive pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

After mean 7 years from therapy (range: 6-8), 431 PCa-survivors (RP:  = 313, RT:  = 118) completed a mailed questionnaire assessing persistent treatment-related adverse effects (AEs) (Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite [EPIC-26]) and seven Quality indicators describing satisfaction with the health care service following a most often general practitioner (GP)-led follow-up plan. A logistic regression model evaluated the associations between long-term satisfaction and treatment modality, age, the seven satisfaction-related Quality indicators, and persistent AEs. The significance level was set at < .05.

RESULTS

Four of five (81%) PCa-survivors reported long-term satisfaction with their treatment. In a multivariable model, satisfaction was positively associated with sufficient information about treatment and AEs, patient-perceived sufficient cooperation between the hospital and the GP and sufficient follow-up of AEs (ref.: insufficient). Age ≥70 years (ref.: <70) and a rising summary score within the EPIC-26 sexual domain additionally increased long-term satisfaction. The treatment modality itself (RP RT) did not significantly impact on satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of curatively treated PCa-survivors are satisfied with their treatment more than 5 years after primary therapy. Sufficient information, improved cooperation between the hospital specialists and the responsible GP and optimized follow-up of AEs may further increase long-term satisfaction among prostatectomized and irradiated PCa-survivors.