The concept of erectile function preservation (penile rehabilitation) in the patient after brachytherapy for prostate cancer

Brachytherapy
Doron S Stember, John P Mulhall

Abstract

Radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer is commonly associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), although high-quality data on incidence of ED after brachytherapy (BT) are limited. We reviewed the literature on BT-related ED and propose a clinical pathway for maximal preservation of erectile function (EF) after treatment. Erectile physiology and pathophysiology after RT are reviewed. Evidence and rationale for the concept of penile rehabilitation are presented. BT literature that focuses on ED is identified. A clinical care pathway for maximally preserving EF in patients treated with RT for localized prostate cancer is proposed. The mechanisms contributing to ED after prostate irradiation involve injury to the neurovascular bundles, penile vasculature, and cavernosal structural tissue. Reported rates of ED after BT vary widely. Basic science and clinical studies support the concept of a structured program of erectile tissue preservation for optimizing EF after radical prostatectomy and are adapted for the prostate radiation patient. Although definitive evidence for such erectile tissue preservation strategies is pending, there is a solid scientific rationale for the application of available strategies to the radiation patient.

References

Feb 1, 1995·The Journal of Urology·S J HallI Goldstein
May 1, 1996·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·R G StockC Iannuzzi
Jan 9, 1998·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·M J Zelefsky, J F Eid
Nov 10, 2000·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·G S MerrickJ G Donzella
Feb 19, 2002·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Luca IncrocciPeter C Levendag
Nov 2, 2002·Stroke; a Journal of Cerebral Circulation·Ruilan ZhangMichael Chopp
Nov 7, 2002·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Gregory S MerrickMark L Benson
May 29, 2003·The Journal of Urology·Jim C HuMark S Litwin
Apr 26, 2005·Acta Oncologica·Luis Felipe Fajardo
Nov 18, 2005·The Urologic Clinics of North America·Robert C Dean, Tom F Lue
Jan 21, 2006·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·John MulhallNajeeb Mohideen
Jan 27, 2009·Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·Sirpa H AaltomaaTapio Forsell
Mar 24, 2009·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Al V TairaJonathan H Lief
Aug 19, 2009·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Raanan TalJohn P Mulhall
Aug 3, 2010·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·Juanita CrookClement Ma

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 10, 2016·Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·G GandagliaA Briganti
Dec 18, 2013·Current Problems in Cancer·Veronica Sanchez VarelaSharon L Bober
Jul 9, 2013·Progrès en urologie : journal de l'Association française d'urologie et de la Société française d'urologie·S DroupyF Giuliano
Aug 28, 2012·Cancer radiothérapie : journal de la Société française de radiothérapie oncologique·T LeroyJ-M Hannoun-Lévi
Jan 29, 2013·The Journal of Sexual Medicine·Shari B GoldfarbStacy Tessler Lindau
Jun 12, 2014·CA: a Cancer Journal for Clinicians·Ted A SkolarusRebecca L Cowens-Alvarado
Oct 6, 2014·Medical Physics·Tarun K PodderUNKNOWN Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie-European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology BRAPHYQS Subcommittee
Apr 3, 2014·American Journal of Men's Health·Yagil BarazaniDoron S Stember
Mar 5, 2020·Indian Journal of Cancer·Halil Cumhur YildirimFazilet Oner Dincbas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

CV Disorders & Type 2 Diabetes

This feed focuses on the association of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Brain Ischemia

Brain ischemia is a condition in which there is insufficient blood flow to the brain to meet metabolic demand. Discover the latest research on brain ischemia here.