title: The preservation of potency after external beam irradiation for prostate cancer.
abstract: A prospective study was undertaken to assess the relationship of potency before irradiation to the chance of maintaining potency after irradiation. For men who were truly sexually active prior to radiation (defined as having intercourse three or more times per month and having full erections) the chance of maintaining potency was 73%. For men who were borderline sexually active, the chance of maintaining potency was markedly decreased to 40-46%. Thus, the truly potent patient has a greater chance of maintaining potency than the borderline potent patient. This information can be helpful to oncologists as they counsel recently diagnosed prostate cancer regarding the optimal method of cancer management.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Center, Sacramento, CA 95819.
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Banker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000528:radiation effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012723:Sex; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires