As oncologists, we publish and read studies about specific tumor types, and our lexicon is often geared toward the tumor. At times, our sights may be focused too much on the tumor and not enough on the whole patient. To me, whole-patient care encompasses 2 things that matter most to patients: QOL and OS. The distinction between OS and disease-specific survival is an important one in that our treatments must prolong prostate cancer–specific survival without contributing to another cause of mortality that would shorten OS.

Additionally, whole-patient care is very important throughout the course of disease (ie, in both early and advanced settings). We should remain mindful of the risks associated with prostate cancer therapies and how those risks may manifest differently in a real-world population as opposed to that of a clinical trial. This is particularly true when hormonal therapies are intensified or are used earlier in the disease course, as well as later on, when chemotherapies or radioligand therapies are layered in.

Having a multidisciplinary plan in place helps to cover all aspects of care. Optimizing our patients’ cardiac status, diabetes control, functional status, strength and conditioning, diet, and sleep can be critical to both survival and QOL. Thus, thinking of ways to optimize QOL while helping patients to live longer is critical. This may include encouraging patients to exercise, as strength and conditioning in specific areas can reduce the risk for precipitating falls (eg, central muscles and gluteus). Exercises for the gluteus, hip, and pelvic muscles are very different from those for the arms, biceps, and lower extremities, and patients may need guidance. It is also important to be proactive about the risk of neuropathy and managing the arthritic causes of neuropathy. The same is true with the metabolic conditions, high blood pressure, and other aspects of general health.

Taking on whole-patient care can be challenging because we have so much to talk about with our patients in terms of their cancer. However, as patients achieve disease control and respond to our treatments, we are presented with what I consider to be one of the best opportunities to then complement that care with whole-patient care optimization.