Quality of life in low-risk prostate cancer under active surveillance or following radical treatments: the START cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Real-world evidence on quality of life (QoL) changes associated with treatment decisions is crucial for informed choices by patients with low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Regional Oncology Network, NW Italy (4.5 million population), including nearly all urology (N = 22) and radiation oncology (N = 6) centres. Patients newly diagnosed with LRPC, eligible for radical treatments, received balanced information on risks and benefits of available options and could choose among active surveillance (AS), radical prostatectomy (RP), or radiotherapy (RT). Longitudinal changes in QoL were assessed via patient-reported outcomes in four domains: general QoL, mental health, sexual function and ur

SUBMITTER: Rosato R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12909112 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature