title: Nursing considerations in brachytherapy-related erectile dysfunction.
abstract: Following definitive local treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, preservation of erectile function has been assumed to be most likely following brachytherapy. However, recent studies have demonstrated that brachytherapy-related erectile dysfunction (ED) is more common than initially reported. The exacerbation of brachytherapy-related ED is closely related to several clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters including pre-implant erectile function and radiation dose to the proximal penis. The majority of patients with brachytherapy-induced ED respond favorably to oral erectogenic agents.
authors.affiliation: Schiffler Cancer Center, Wheeling, WV, USA.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stipetich
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Wayne M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Kent E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Wallner
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Merrick
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010410:Penile Erection; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents