Longitudinal Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer

The intent of the protocol is to assess health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) in men treated
for localized prostate cancer with 1 of 6 established management alternatives: external
(XRT)or interstitial radiotherapy (IRT), open radical prostatectomy (RP), laparoscopic
radical prostatectomy (LRP), combined radiotherapy and brachytherapy (Combined RT) or
watchful waiting (WW). HRQOL is an important aspect of any treatment for prostate cancer due
to the beliefs by many that cancer control rates are similar across common modalities and
HRQOL reduction from treatment is substantial (1-5). Therefore, HRQOL appears to occupy a
central role in the decision making process related to treatment selection.

Inclusion Criteria:

- diagnosis of localized, untreated prostate cancer (clinical stages T1-3, Nx, M0)

- ability to read the English language

Exclusion criteria:

- other cancer diagnosis for the past three years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer

- prior chemotherapy within the last three years; radiation therapy to the pelvis or
prior pelvic surgery within the past three years

- prior neoadjuvant therapy, such as hormones (Bicalutamide use for less than or equal
to 1 month would not constitute exclusion from study entry)

For the cross-sectional component of the study, all patients identified to be free of
disease at least ten years post -treatment will be considered eligible. Patients must have
no clinical evidence of local, regional or distant recurrences. Patients must have the
ability to read and understand English. Patients who received hormonal therapy will be
eligible for the cross-sectional component of the study, but the duration of the hormonal
therapy must be six months or less. the investigators have identified a cohort of patients
who fit these criteria from our databases.