Prevention of erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Asian J Androl. 2014 Nov-Dec;16(6):805-6. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.133327.

Abstract

With increasing scrutiny of prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and treatment, much attention has been given to the morbidity caused by radical prostatectomy (RP) and/or radiotherapy (RT). One of the most common side-effects of either treatment is erectile dysfunction (ED). Approximately, 40% of patients will experience ED after RT for PCa. The post-RT ED causes significant patient dissatisfaction with cancer treatment as well as decrease in patient and partner psychosocial function. To address this issue in patients undergoing RT, Pisansky et al. conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a phosphodiesterase enzyme-5 inhibitor (PDE5i), tadalafil, as a preventive measure for patients undergoing RT for PCa and found no difference in erectile function between the control and treatment groups.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Carbolines / therapeutic use*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Carbolines
  • Vasodilator Agents