The comparison of post-treatment quality of life after at least two years of follow-up (≥ 24 months) between robotic radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy for intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer


BEDİR S., Ünal B., EBİLOĞLU T., DEMİRAL S., SARIKAYA S., Beyzadeoğlu M. M.

BMC Urology, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12894-025-02018-9
  • Dergi Adı: BMC Urology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Quality of life, Prostate cancer, Robotic radical prostatectomy, Radiotherapy, IMRT
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) are the main curative options for localized prostate cancer (PCA). However, both may significantly affect patients’ quality of life (QoL). Objective: To retrospectively compare post-treatment QoL after at least 24 months of follow-up between bladder-neck- and nerve-sparing RALRP and IMRT in patients with intermediate-risk localized PCA. Methods: A total of 164 patients treated between October 2016 and May 2023 were analyzed (104 RALRP; 60 IMRT). QoL was evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-2002). Urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormonal domains were compared using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Baseline demographics were similar between groups. The mean age was 68.82 ± 6.72 years in the RALRP group and 68.89 ± 7.81 years in the IMRT group. IMRT patients reported better sexual function (p < 0.05), but this advantage was counteracted by hormonal side effects due to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Urinary continence was comparable (p > 0.05), whereas irritative urinary symptoms were more common in IMRT (p < 0.001). Bowel function and overall satisfaction were significantly better in RALRP (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: After ≥ 24 months of follow-up, RALRP provided superior bowel and hormonal outcomes, while IMRT yielded slightly better sexual function scores. Overall satisfaction favored RALRP.