Erectile dysfunction in successfully treated lymphoma patients.
BACKGROUND
Information on male potency in lymphoma survivors is insufficient. In this study, we assessed male sexual function and serum gonadotropins in successfully treated lymphoma patients.


METHODS
Fifty-nine patients treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) or non-HL (NHL) with chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy were included in the study.


RESULTS
The mean age (+/-standard deviation) of the patients was 40.2 +/- 11.0 (range, 18-55 years). Thirty-eight (64.4%) had HL and 21 (35.6%) NHL. According to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, 61.0% had some degree of erectile dysfunction (ED; IIEF score < 26): 33.9% had mild ED (IIEF score 17-25), 15.2% moderate ED (IIEF score 11-16), and 11.9% severe ED (IIEF score 6-10). Age distribution was similar in patients with ED and those with normal erectile function. Presence of ED and its grade were not different between HL and NHL patients. Nine (18.4%) of 49 patients had an elevated follicle-stimulating hormone, 7 (14.2%) had elevated luteinizing hormone, and 3 (6.1%) had decreased testosterone levels. These hormonal abnormalities did not affect the presence of ED and its severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, 61.0% of men in our study had ED according to IIEF. Clinicians should be aware of this problem in lymphoma survivors and offer these patients adequate treatment options.
Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. saksoy07@yahoo.com
Sercan
S
Aksoy
Hakan
H
Harputluoglu
Saadettin
S
Kilickap
Murat
M
Dincer
Omer
O
Dizdar
Bulent
B
Akdogan
Haluk
H
Ozen
Mustafa
M
Erman
Ismail
I
Celik
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006062:Gonadotropins