Effects of preoperative radiotherapy for primary resectable rectal adenocarcinoma on male sexual and urinary function.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative radiotherapy had an influence on the urinary and sexual function of patients having a sphincter-saving, nerve-preserving total mesorectal excision.


METHODS
Urinary and sexual function of male patients undergoing sphincter-saving, nerve-preserving total mesorectal excision for primary resectable rectal carcinoma between January 1998 and December 1999 were evaluated retrospectively. Assessment was by standardized questionnaires.


RESULTS
Fifty male patients met the inclusion criteria. Three patients had died (hepatic metastases), and five were living outside the European community and could not be contacted. Sixteen patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy (Group 1), and 26 patients were not treated preoperatively (Group 2). There was no perioperative mortality. Age, tumor stage, and localization of the tumor were comparable. Median follow-up was 20 months. Urinary function was not significantly different. One patient in Group 1 and 2 patients in Group 2 were impotent before surgery. All remaining patients in Group 2 (n = 24) and 11 of 15 remaining patients in Group 1 were sexually active (P = 0.016). All sexually active patients (n = 24) in Group 2 and 9 of the 11 sexually active patients in Group 1 have normal ejaculation (P = 0.09).


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative radiotherapy for primary resectable rectal carcinoma treated by total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation may impair male sexual function.
Bonnel
Catherine
C
Department of Digestive Surgery, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Parc
Yann R
YR
Pocard
Marc
M
Dehni
Nidal
N
Caplin
Scott
S
Parc
Rolland
R
Tiret
Emmanuel
E
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014554:Urination / Q000528:radiation effects*