Quality of life after radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy is a standard approach to the management of prostate cancer. As the oncological outcome has improved, focus has drawn to the postoperative amelioration of health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

The instruments that have already been used, or may be used, in assessing the HRQOL postoperatively in men with prostate cancer are presented.

Urinary and sexual dysfunction as well as fecal incontinence form the three possible major complications after surgery which affect the patient's quality of life. Meticulous counseling regarding the potential morbidity associated with the operation that may affect the patient's quality of life should be made before the patient gives his informed consent.

Questionnaires only partially help to identify patients with dysfunction, especially sexual and bowel dysfunction, and careful patient counseling with their partners present is the best way to evaluate the presence of dysfunction pre- or postoperatively.