CHICAGO, IL USA (UroToday) - The interactive panel on sexual dysfunction in the prostate cancer patient, moderated by John Mulhall, MD, shared three perspectives: radical prostatectomy, androgen deprivation therapy, and radiation therapy.
Andrew McCullough, MD (Director of the Male Sexual Health, Fertility and Microsurgery Programs at NYU Urology) said, "The early post-op participation of the patient's partner cannot be underestimated. If the ED is not addressed immediately, treatments are not as effective. ED will occur immediately and in nearly all cases it is profound. Early manifestation of Peyronie's disease is found in up to 15% of cases.
Run Wang, MD (Professor of Surgery in the Division of Urology and holder of the Cecil M. Crigler, MD, Chair in Urology, UT Heatlh, University of Texas) addressed androgen deprivation therapy relevant to ED in the prostate cancer patient. ADT is the first-line therapy for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer, however, "ADT is a double-edged sword, impacting the male's sexual function. While there is not much in the literature about libido, most men reported decreased sexual desire after 12 weeks of treatment. Of all options (intermittent ADT, penile rehabilitation, PDE-5) surgical therapy is the most effective."
Luca Incrocci, MD, PhD (Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC-Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) presented his perspective on the impact of radiation therapy on the prostate cancer (PCa). Sexual function significantly decreases after radiotherapy for prostate cancer so a multidisciplinary approach to treatment is necessary for improved results. “The patient’s vascular physiology (in particular the pudendal artery) is important in relationship to external beam radiation for prostate cancer. Even with improvements in radiation technology, there is still a high incidence of sexual dysfunction in these patients,” said Dr. Incrocci.
Moderated by John Mulhall, MD* at the annual World Meeting on Sexual Medicine (WMSM) - August 26 - 30, 2012 - Sheraton Chicago - Chicago, Illinois USA
*Director, Male Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY
Reported for UroToday by Karen Roberts, Medical Editor
