The Patient`s Choice of Hormonal Treatment for Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Sohn, Dong Wan; Chung, Moon Kee

Abstract

PURPOSES: We performed a study to estimate the attitude of patients toward orchiectomy, and the factors impacting to choose treatment in real situation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One thousand one hundred and eighteen patients were asked questionnaires at their first visit of outpatient clinic. Among them 775 patients completed the questionnaires which are composed with three items asking the degree of acceptance for orchiectomy, the acceptable cost to save the testes. The responses were analysed according to ages, educational levels, occupations and final diagnosis. In 38 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, we analysed the factors impacting on their decision when they faced to choose a method of antiandrogen therapy.
RESULTS
Among 775 patients who make the definite decisions for orchiectomy, 212 patients(27.4%) accepted the orchiectomy, 452 patients(58.3%) denied orchiectomy, 111 patients(14.3%) want to avoid orchiectomy as much as possible. The younger patients are, the more they want to save their testes. The accepting orchiectomy of patient is not impacted by occupation or educational levels. Among 45 patients who were finally diagnosed as metastatic prostate cancer, 13 patients changed thier choices that they selected at first visit. The most common causes to choose orchiectomy was economic conditions and to choose LH-RH analogue was fear to surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Around three forth of men over 50 years old have negative attitude for orchiectomy. But this can be changed easily by the factors such as economic status, fear to surgery and doctor`s advise. If the higher the house income is, the more LH-RH analogue will be used.