Impact of prostate size on urinary quality of life scores after open radical prostatectomy: A single-center experience

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prostate size on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy (RP). Material and methods. A total of 207 consecutive patients who underwent RP for localized prostate cancer was stratified by pathological prostate gland weight into group 1, patients with prostate glands weighing less than 30 g; group 2, those with prostates weighing 30-50 g; and group 3, those with prostates weighing more than 50 g. Urinary HRQoL was assessed before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after RP using a Japanese version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) questionnaire. Results. Baseline urinary function was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in patients with the largest glands (group 3), as demonstrated by EPIC urinary domain summary and subscale scores, including scores for urinary bother, irritation and obstruction, compared with patients with smaller glands (groups 1 and 2). At follow-up ranging from 18 to 36 months, patients in group 3 had improved EPIC urinary domain summary and subscale scores, including scores for urinary irritation and obstruction and urinary bother subscale scores, compared with their baseline scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions. In patients with large prostate glands, postoperative improvement was observed in HRQoL and functional outcome after RP. Thus, RP may be beneficial in patients with large prostates.