Radical retropubic prostatectomy reduces symptom scores and improves quality of life in men with moderate and severe lower urinary tract symptoms

Purpose: We determine the impact of radical retropubic prostatectomy on low er urinary tract symptoms and quality of life due to urinary problems in me n with clinically localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom in dex, a symptom problem index and a quality of life due to urinary problems question were administered to 104 men before and 12 months after radical pr ostatectomy. Urinary continence and satisfaction with the decision to under go radical prostatectomy were also examined. Results: In men with moderate or severe baseline urinary symptoms (AUA scor e 8 or greater) the total AUA symptom, symptom problem and quality of life question scores decreased by 51 (-6.39), 57 (-4.22) and 25% (-0.65), respec tively, after radical prostatectomy. Except for nocturia statistically sign ificant improvements were observed for all questions captured by the AUA sy mptom index. Radical prostatectomy did not significantly change mean AUA sy mptom score or symptom problem index in men with mild urinary symptoms (AUA score less than 8). In men with moderate or severe urinary symptoms radica l prostatectomy significantly improved quality of life due to urinary probl ems. Although 10% of men exhibited some degree of clinically relevant stres s incontinence, 98% were very satisfied or satisfied with the decision to u ndergo radical prostatectomy. Conclusions: In men with moderate or severe urinary symptoms radical prosta tectomy improves lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life due to ur inary problems. The overall beneficial impact on voiding makes radical pros tatectomy an attractive treatment option for clinically localized prostate cancer.