Lebensqualität nach radikaler Prostatektomie

PURPOSE To investigate quality of life in prostate cancer patients after radical retropubic prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS 401 men who underwent radical prostatectomy between January 1995 and September 1999 at our clinic were asked for information concerning daily life activities, overall satisfaction, voiding ability and sexual activity in standardized questionnaire. RESULTS The average follow-up was 36 months, 72 % (n = 289) of our patients replied. In 53 (18%) of the men who replied to our questionnaire, the nerve-sparing technique had been used. At the time our patients were questioned, 202 (70%) did not use any pads, and 211 (73%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome. Of these patients 98% would undergo a radical prostatectomy again. 13% (n = 37) of our patients reported limited satisfaction, 14% (n = 41) were not satisfied with their postoperative status. However, 69% of this latter group would nevertheless decide to have a radical prostatectomy again. Of the patients who underwent the nerve-sparing technique, 68% (n = 36) reported sufficient erections for sexual intercourse, four of them under medication with sildenafil. Patients who underwent the nerve-sparing technique reported better results in daily life activities, general health status, IPSS-score and continence. While age at the time of radical prostatectomy did not influence life quality, we found substantial correlation with the postoperative tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS Our results underline the importance of early prostate cancer detection, not only regarding a lower recurrence rate, but also because of a better postoperative quality of life.