L Incrocci1, W C Hop, A K Slob. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyze retrospectively the sexual functioning and treatment outcome in patients after radiotherapy (RT) for Peyronie's disease. METHODS: During 1982 to 1997, 179 patients with Peyronie's disease were treated at our radiation oncology department. One hundred thirty patients whose address could be traced were sent a questionnaire about their symptoms before RT, treatment outcome, and current sexual functioning (the past 4 weeks). One hundred six patients, mean age 59 years, responded. RESULTS: Before RT, 44% reported painful erections, 97% penile curvature, and 18% erectile dysfunction. Sixty-nine percent reported that after RT, penile pain was diminished and 29% that penile curvature was decreased; 13% reported improved erections. With respect to their current sex life, 51% reported sometimes or always having problems getting an erection and 61% in maintaining an erection; 36% never experienced spontaneous erections. Fifty-four percent reported not having erections rigid enough for sexual activity. Since RT (mean 9 years), there had been a moderate or severe decrease in sexual interest (17%), sexual activity (41%), and sexual pleasure (32%). Overall, 49% of patients were dissatisfied with their current sexual functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose external RT resulted in relief of pain in two thirds of patients with Peyronie's disease. An improvement in penile curvature was reported in one third of patients. One half of men reported problems in getting an erection. The rigidity of erections was satisfactory in only 54%. There was a moderate to severe decrease in sexual interest, activity, and pleasure after RT; however, this was associated with age, although comorbidity or medications cannot be excluded.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze retrospectively the sexual functioning and treatment outcome in patients after radiotherapy (RT) for Peyronie's disease. METHODS: During 1982 to 1997, 179 patients with Peyronie's disease were treated at our radiation oncology department. One hundred thirty patients whose address could be traced were sent a questionnaire about their symptoms before RT, treatment outcome, and current sexual functioning (the past 4 weeks). One hundred six patients, mean age 59 years, responded. RESULTS: Before RT, 44% reported painful erections, 97% penile curvature, and 18% erectile dysfunction. Sixty-nine percent reported that after RT, penile pain was diminished and 29% that penile curvature was decreased; 13% reported improved erections. With respect to their current sex life, 51% reported sometimes or always having problems getting an erection and 61% in maintaining an erection; 36% never experienced spontaneous erections. Fifty-four percent reported not having erections rigid enough for sexual activity. Since RT (mean 9 years), there had been a moderate or severe decrease in sexual interest (17%), sexual activity (41%), and sexual pleasure (32%). Overall, 49% of patients were dissatisfied with their current sexual functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose external RT resulted in relief of pain in two thirds of patients with Peyronie's disease. An improvement in penile curvature was reported in one third of patients. One half of men reported problems in getting an erection. The rigidity of erections was satisfactory in only 54%. There was a moderate to severe decrease in sexual interest, activity, and pleasure after RT; however, this was associated with age, although comorbidity or medications cannot be excluded.
Authors: A Montero Luis; R Hernanz de Lucas; A Hervás Morón; E Fernández Lizarbe; S Sancho García; C Vallejo Ocaña; A Polo Rubio; A Ramos Aguerri Journal: Clin Transl Oncol Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 3.405