Quality of life in patients with prostatic cancer. A feasibility study. The Members of Quality of Life Committee of the EORTC Genitourinary Group.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to include parameters representing the patients' view of their conditions that, therefore, are more subjective in nature.

METHODS

As a first effort to introduce quality-of-life (QOL) assessment in prostatic cancer clinical trials, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Genitourinary Group, in cooperation with the EORTC QOL Group, activated Protocol 30853 (orchiectomy versus goserelin acetate and flutamide in previously untreated patients with Stage M+ disease. Study Coordinator: Louis Denis). The use of patient-administered QOL questionnaires was optional, and of 327 patients, only 22% underwent pretreatment assessments.

RESULTS

Psychologic distress, fatigue, social and family life, and pain are the most important to the patient on a subjective basis, and these were confirmed in relation to objective parameters. There was a discrepancy between the doctors' evaluations and the patients' opinions about subjective morbidity, namely, in regard to sexual status and pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This EORTC trial revealed the reluctance of clinicians to do QOL research, partly related to feasibility problems and partly to the doctors' doubts about the value of such efforts. QOL assessment should become a mandatory part of clinical trials in prostatic cancer.