9093 Background: Growing numbers of prostate cancer patients survive for extended periods of time after initial diagnosis and treatment. Many experience a biochemical relapse (“PSA failure”) some time after prostatectomy or pelvic radiation. LhRH agonist therapy can reduce PSA levels, but its impact on survival time and quality of life (QOL) is unclear. We evaluated these concerns among Veterans who experienced PSA Failure. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: receipt of primary therapy for prostate cancer followed by a PSA nadir and subsequent PSA rise to at least 0.2 ng/ml. Data sources include patients (interviewer administered survey instruments on health-related QOL at baseline, 3 and 12 months) and medical records (clinical and laboratory findings). Results: 69 patients from the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago have enrolled in the study to date. At their baseline interviews, 30 patients (43.5%) were receiving LhRH agonists (46.1% of 39 African-American patients and 48.0% of 25 White patients). LhRH agonist patients reported worse health-related QOL in domains relevant to prostate cancer than watchful waiting (WW) patients ( Table ), including increased frequency of urination, difficulty controlling urination, greater erectile dysfunction, and more limits on sexual activity. LhRH agonist and WW patients reported similar levels of sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: Of the PSA failure patients studied in this sample, those receiving LhRH agonist therapy experience more problems with urinary and sexual function than those who opted for WW. Longitudinal study will provide information about whether the LhRH therapy causes these side effects, or whether symptomatic patients are more likely to choose LhRH therapy than those with few prostate cancer symptoms. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
PD25-04 QUALITY OF LIFE IN PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH PRIMARY ANDROGEN DEPRIVATION THERAPY: COMPARISON OF COMBINED ANDROGEN BLOCKADE VS. LHRH AGONIST ALONE
