The effects of testicular cancer treatment on health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively describe the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among men with newly diagnosed non-seminoma germ cell tumors of the testis. Several characteristics of testicular cancer--young age at diagnosis, increasing incidence, and high survival rates--highlight the need for improved understanding of the variables influencing the survivorship experience.

METHODS: Participants (n = 116) were identified and recruited from the genitourinary services of 2 large medical centers--one in the United States and the other in The Netherlands. Baseline assessments were administered after diagnostic orchiectomy but before adjuvant treatment. Participants completed follow-up assessments after the completion of the chemotherapy regimen (or 3 months postdiagnosis for participants on surveillance regimens) and 12 months postdiagnosis. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey was used to measure HRQOL.

RESULTS: Findings indicated that men treated with chemotherapy reported significantly more bodily pain, poorer role physical functioning, poorer social functioning, poorer physical health, more fatigue compared with the men who did not receive chemotherapy at the post-treatment assessment. At the time of 12 month follow-up, HRQOL scores did not vary by treatment group, and scores were significantly higher than baseline HRQOL scores. No significant time by treatment group interactions were observed at the 12 month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study indicate that chemotherapy is associated with only a temporary decrease in HRQOL. Other HRQOL domains, including mental functioning, role emotional, and general health perceptions, were not associated with treatment type at any of the assessment times.