Lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with prostate cancer under and after intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to collect data on the characteristics, degree, and natural course of urinary complications, as well as self-care for such complications, in patients during and after prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods: Quality of life data were collected retrospectively for all eligible patients who underwent IMRT. In all eligible patients, urinary symptoms were evaluated using questionnaires and face-to-face interview. Participants were asked to respond to a self-administered questionnaire concerning the core lower urinary tract symptom score during the course of IMRT and up to 12 months after the completion of IMRT.

Results: In all, 29 eligible patients were included in the study. The frequency of urinary symptoms increased over of the course of IMRT, decreased at ≥3 months after completion of IMRT, and disappeared 6 months after IMRT. Responses to the questionnaire revealed a variety of approaches to self-care and adaptations by patients to manage urinary symptoms.

Conclusions: During and after IMRT for localized prostate cancer, patients often developed more frequent urination and urgency than at the start of IMRT, and recovered 3-6 months after the completion of IMRT. Based on the present study, clinicians and nurses could help convey this information to patients and thus offer better support.