| QUALITY OF LIFE OF MEN WITH URETERIC STENTS FOR ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER
Mr Kenneth Anson, Dr Uday Patel Department of Urology, St George's Hospital, London |
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Although prostate cancer accounts for 12% of male cancer deaths in the UK, many patients are living for long periods. However, in the later stages of the disease, it may cause obstruction of the kidneys and kidney failure. Until recently this event was considered to be terminal, the patient and family was advised of such and palliative care introduced. For the past 15 years the obstruction can be relieved by the use of plastic tubes within the tubes draining the kidneys (ureteric stents) and this has improved the life expectancy of these patients. Although the majority are thought to have a life expectancy of 18 months or so, the recent introduction of novel medical treatments can extend life by months and sometimes years beyond this during which the patient remains stent dependent.
Whilst ureteric stents can prolong life their use is associated with significant side effects that can seriously impact upon the patient’s quality of life (QOL). Minor and major disabling stent symptoms (frequency and urgency of voiding, persistent bladder and kidney pain, blood in the urine etc) are common, recurrent urinary infections may occur and the stents need regular exchange. Stents can also become occluded. All of these complications can lead to a reduced QOL and prolonged hospitalisation at a time when quality may be considered particularly precious.
There have been no studies to date looking at the impact of these stents on QOL at such times and this makes it difficult to develop suitable research strategies to address the patient problems encountered with these stents. This study aims to redress the balance by providing accurate QOL information which will improve decision making and patient management in this neglected area of prostate cancer management.
Research summary, 06 March 2007.
Project 2006/08