Improving Flexibility and Quality of Life for Your Patients: A Must?

ContextProstate cancer (PCa) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) have a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Therefore, QoL is an important factor to be considered before and during ADT, and appropriate measures should be taken to maintain or improve it.ObjectiveThis paper discusses several aspects considered important in the maintenance or improvement of the QoL of PCa patients treated with ADT.Evidence acquisitionDuring the 2009 European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Stockholm, Sweden, a satellite symposium was held on PCa. This paper is based on one of the presentations held at this symposium. Data were retrieved from recent review articles, original articles, and abstracts.Evidence synthesisEffective, patient-centred communication will ensure that the patient is well informed about the treatment and its potential side-effects, may reduce suffering, and enhances the patient's well-being. ADT may induce side-effects that affect QoL and also cause potentially serious medical problems. Therefore, measures should be taken to prevent or manage these side-effects before and during ADT. Integrating the patient's expectations, preferences, and needs in daily clinical practice, such as during treatment decisions, will ensure well-informed decisions and may minimise future regret and improve treatment satisfaction. A treatment such as the luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist Eligard®, which is available in 1-, 3- and 6-mo depot formulations, enabling administration at different time intervals, offers patients flexibility and is another step in improving QoL.ConclusionsQoL is an important factor to be considered before and during ADT for PCa. Effective and open communication between the patient and physician, prevention and management of ADT-related side-effects, and integration of patient's expectations in clinical practice are measures that can be taken to maintain or improve the QoL of ADT-treated patients.