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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Comparison of Distress Scores Before and After Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Stefan Janssen1,2, Cansu Delikanli1, Nathan Y Yu3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
Background/Aim:
Prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) may experience distress. This study evaluated the course of distress during RT.
Patients And Methods:
Four distress characteristics were analyzed for change of distress in 136 patients irradiated for prostate cancer, including age, Karnofsky performance score, intent of RT, and previous RT.
Results:
Mean distress scores were 4.3 (±2.9) at baseline and 4.2 (±2.7) at the end of RT. Associations with increased distress were found for KPS >80 (p<0.001) and curative intent RT (p=0.072). When evaluating increased distress as binary variable (yes vs. no), KPS >80 was significant on univariable (p<0.001) and multivariable (p=0.016) analyses. In patients with baseline scores ≤5 points, KPS >80 was associated with mean change of distress (p=0.009) and increased distress (p=0.029).
Conclusion:
Many patients receiving RT for prostate cancer do not experience increased distress during their treatment course. Patients at higher risk of increased distress may require early psychological assistance.
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