PURPOSE: Adjustment and quality of life were investigated in men with non-localised prostate cancer and their wives or partners as part of a longitudinal treatment study on quality of life and cognitive functioning associated with treatment for prostate cancer. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with leuprorelin, goserelin, cyproterone acetate, or close clinical monitoring. Patients were assessed with neuropsychological tests and self-report questionnaires at pre-treatment baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment (n=62). A community comparison group of men the same age without prostate cancer completed the same measures (n=15). Self-report data were provided by 27 partners of patients (60% response rate) and 5 partners of community comparison participants (42% response rate). RESULTS: Sexual dysfunction increased for patients on androgen-suppressing therapies, and emotional distress increased in patients assigned to cyproterone acetate or close clinical monitoring. Compared with pre-treatment, there was evidence of an adverse effect of leuprorelin, goserelin, and cyproterone acetate on cognitive function. The majority of participants currently had partners (73% of patients and 80% of comparison participants). Partners reported comparable or higher levels of distress than patients, and, like patients, reported decreased threat appraisals of cancer over time. CONCLUSIONS: In conjunction with results from the broader study, data from partners suggest that information and support for partners is important in addition to services for patients.