Quality of life of post hormonal manipulation in prostate cancer patients in Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Introduction Cancer of the prostate is the most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer deaths among American men. This is a disease of aging and is common in Africa where most patients present late. Treatment of prostate cancer is there fore often palliative, and impact on treatment quality of life (QOL) become very important. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) also known as hormone manipulation is the main stay of treatment choices and quality of life of this patients post hormonal manipulation should be known. Objectives To explore change in quality of life post hormonal manipulation in prostate cancer patients. Methodology A cross sectional descriptive study conducted among patients who present with recurrent symptoms of advanced prostate cancer three months post hormonal manipulation in the department of surgery Muhimbili National Hospital, Ocean Road Cancer Institute and Tumaini Hospital in Dar es salaam. Three quality of life domains were used .Data was collected from interview, patient’s notes and patient’s or relatives cellular phone numbers were recorded to facilitate data collection. Data analysis done using SPSS soft ware. Results Fifty four patients were enrolled in the study with mean age 72.6 years and range from 52-86 years. I n this particular study, there is a decrease in quality of life post hormonal manipulation across three domains (psychological functioning, physical functioning and daily activity performance) Conclusion Hormonal manipulation in prostate cancer contributes to a decrease physicaly, psychologicaly and performance status quality of life. Recommendations 1 Multicentre study should be done to further explore QOL issues in patients with HRPC 2 Further studies should also done on HRPC