The relationship between overactive bladder and prostate cancer: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• The link between prostate cancer (PCa) and overactive bladder (OAB) is not well-established.
• Both conditions are common in older men, raising questions about their independent or causal relationship.
• Existing research has not clarified if PCa diagnosis influences OAB onset or vice versa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if men with a new prostate cancer diagnosis are more prone to overactive bladder than the general population.
• To assess the impact of different prostate cancer treatments on the incidence or worsening of OAB symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Medline and PubMed databases.
• Included studies reported on overactive bladder (OAB) or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in adult patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa).
• No restrictions were placed on study design.

Main Results:

• Findings on the association between pre-treatment PCa and LUTS were inconsistent, with some studies suggesting an inverse relationship (fewer LUTS in PCa patients).
• Brachytherapy was associated with a higher incidence of OAB symptoms post-treatment compared to surgery or external beam radiation therapy.

Conclusions:

• Evidence regarding the prevalence of OAB before prostate cancer treatment is varied.
• Limited data and uncertainty exist concerning pre-treatment symptoms and their influence on post-treatment outcomes.
• Further research is needed to clarify the relationship between PCa, its treatments, and OAB.