TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and Predicting Factors for Commonly Neglected Sexual Side Effects to External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
AU - Frey, Anders
AU - Pedersen, Christian
AU - Lindberg, Henriette
AU - Bisbjerg, Rasmus
AU - Sønksen, Jens
AU - Fode, Mikkel
N1 - Copyright © 2017 International Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/4/1
Y1 - 2017/4/1
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Changes in sexual function other than erectile dysfunction are sparsely investigated after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.AIM: To investigate orgasmic dysfunction, urinary incontinence during sexual activity, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis in patients with prostate cancer treated with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT).METHODS: In February 2015, men treated with EBRT at our center 3 months to 5 years previously (N = 519) received a study-specific questionnaire. This was developed from purpose-built questions and validated tools including the Erection Hardness Scale. All patients had received a radiation dose of 78 Gy. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered according to disease characteristics.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measurements were prevalence rates and predictors of these side effects as identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses.RESULTS: One hundred nine patients were eligible (sexually active and had completed androgen deprivation therapy) for inclusion. Twenty-four percent reported anorgasmia, 44% reported a decreased intensity of their orgasms, and 40% reported that the time it took to reach orgasm had increased. Eleven percent reported anejaculation. Fifteen percent reported orgasm-associated pain. Only 4% reported urinary incontinence during sexual activity. Subjective penile length loss in excess of 1 cm was reported by 42%. Twelve percent reported an altered curvature of their penis after EBRT. Six percent reported painful erections. Twenty-seven percent reported decreased sensitivity in the penis after EBRT, 2% reported a cold sensation, and 2% reported paresthesia. Increasing time since final treatment increased the risk of penile sensory disturbances (odds ratio = 1.05; P = .028).CONCLUSION: Orgasmic dysfunction, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis are common side effects of ERBT. Patients should be properly informed of the occurrence of these side effects before deciding which treatment to pursue. Frey A, Pedersen C, Lindberg H, et al. Prevalence and Predicting Factors for Commonly Neglected Sexual Side Effects to External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. J Sex Med 2017;14:558-565.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Changes in sexual function other than erectile dysfunction are sparsely investigated after radiation therapy for prostate cancer.AIM: To investigate orgasmic dysfunction, urinary incontinence during sexual activity, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis in patients with prostate cancer treated with external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT).METHODS: In February 2015, men treated with EBRT at our center 3 months to 5 years previously (N = 519) received a study-specific questionnaire. This was developed from purpose-built questions and validated tools including the Erection Hardness Scale. All patients had received a radiation dose of 78 Gy. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered according to disease characteristics.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measurements were prevalence rates and predictors of these side effects as identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses.RESULTS: One hundred nine patients were eligible (sexually active and had completed androgen deprivation therapy) for inclusion. Twenty-four percent reported anorgasmia, 44% reported a decreased intensity of their orgasms, and 40% reported that the time it took to reach orgasm had increased. Eleven percent reported anejaculation. Fifteen percent reported orgasm-associated pain. Only 4% reported urinary incontinence during sexual activity. Subjective penile length loss in excess of 1 cm was reported by 42%. Twelve percent reported an altered curvature of their penis after EBRT. Six percent reported painful erections. Twenty-seven percent reported decreased sensitivity in the penis after EBRT, 2% reported a cold sensation, and 2% reported paresthesia. Increasing time since final treatment increased the risk of penile sensory disturbances (odds ratio = 1.05; P = .028).CONCLUSION: Orgasmic dysfunction, changes in penile morphology, and sensory disturbances in the penis are common side effects of ERBT. Patients should be properly informed of the occurrence of these side effects before deciding which treatment to pursue. Frey A, Pedersen C, Lindberg H, et al. Prevalence and Predicting Factors for Commonly Neglected Sexual Side Effects to External-Beam Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. J Sex Med 2017;14:558-565.
KW - Aged
KW - Cross-Sectional Studies
KW - Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
KW - Erectile Dysfunction/etiology
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Penile Erection/radiation effects
KW - Penis/radiation effects
KW - Prevalence
KW - Prostatectomy/adverse effects
KW - Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy
KW - Radiation Injuries/diagnosis
KW - Sexual Behavior
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Urinary Incontinence
U2 - 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.015
DO - 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.01.015
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28258954
SN - 1743-6095
VL - 14
SP - 558
EP - 565
JO - Journal of Sexual Medicine
JF - Journal of Sexual Medicine
IS - 4
ER -