Giliam, Tetje Debora (2024) External Beam Radiotherapy and Erectile Function: Exploring The Decline in Prostate Cancer Patients. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer among men, with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) being a well-established treatment option. However, EBRT is associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) as a common side effect. This study aimed to analyse the impact of EBRT on erectile function (EF) and to investigate which risk factors influence EF after EBRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS In total, 103 patients with localised PCa treated with EBRT without androgen deprivation therapy were included, of which 67 patients received 60 Gy and 36 received 77 Gy. The EORTC QLQ-PR25 questionnaire was used to assess sexual functions. Primary endpoint was the difference in EF 2 years after EBRT. Organs at risk (OARs) were delineated, and the average dose and the maximum dose to a 0.10 cm³ volume to the OARs was calculated to assess the effect of radiation dose on EF. Potential risk factors for EF were collected. RESULTS After 2 years, 41/84 (48.8%) patients experienced a decline in EF. Compared to baseline, 8/92 (8.7%) patients were less sexually active 2 years after EBRT, 11/80 (13.8%) patients had less enjoyable sex, 42/83 (50.6%) patients had more ejaculation problems, and 57/82 (69.5%) patients felt more uncomfortable about being sexually intimate. Risk factors that showed a significant difference between patients who had a decline in EF versus patients with the same EF 2 years after EBRT were smoking (p = 0.020) and cardiovascular risk (p = 0.043). The doses to the OARs, including the crura, penile bulb, and neurovascular bundles, showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION Our results show that EF decline after EBRT for PCa is a prevalent issue. The findings provide valuable insights for the clinical practice and to guide the shared decision-making process.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Aluwini, S. and Staal, F.H.E. and Cox, I. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Oct 2025 13:26 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2025 13:26 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3832 |
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