Table 4 Radical prostatectomy (RP) and psychological adjustment

Pietroff et al. (2001)

• Retrospective, questionnaire – based inquiry, comparing those with (25%) and without PSA recurrence, an average 3 years post-surgery

• UCLA Prostate Cancer Index and the RAND 36-item Health Survey used

• 348 patients with localized disease

• Small difference only on QOL between the 2 groups; generally, men well adjusted

• PSA-recurrence group, unexpectedly had higher scores on emotional well-being

Rosetti and Terrone (1996)

• Retrospective inquiry (EORTC) 1 – 15 years after RP

• 161 patients, of whom "over 80%" did not have metastases

• Minimal overall psychological impact

• 90% satisfied with surgery, and would opt to have it again

Heathcote et al. (1998)

• Retrospective inquiry 1–6 years after surgery

• QOL measure constructed by authors

• 140 patients who had no evidence of recurrent or residual disease

• 90% satisfied with treatment, despite impotence in 40% of sample

Meyer et al. (2003)

• Retrospective inquiry (ED – QOL)a median 7 years after surgery

• 89 patients with localized disease

• Most patients felt adverse effects, including anger, guild and sadness associated with impotence.

• 75% of men had lowered self-esteem to some degree

Ficarra et al. (2000)

• Retrospective inquiry an average 2 years after surgery; inclusion of control group of men who had RP for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• General Health Questionnaire and the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale

• 30 patients with localized disease

• Cancer patients had significantly higher levels of anxiety

• Depression levels similar in 2 groups; minimal in each group

Randorf-Klym and Colling (2003)

• Retrospective inquiry 1–2 years following surgery

• QOL measure constructed by authors

• 88 patients

• Perceived social support, self-esteem and health locus of control predicted post-surgery QOL

• Suppression of anger and depression non-predictors