Subacute penile numbness after brachytherapy for prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Penile numbness is a rare complication of permanent prostate brachytherapy, and optimal clinical management remains unclear. We present such a case and discuss pathophysiology and clinical management strategies.


METHODS
A 68-year-old male presented with a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 6.9 ng/mL, Gleason score of 7 (3+4), and clinical T1c adenocarcinoma of the prostate. After a permanent prostate brachytherapy implant with (125)I monotherapy to a dose of 145Gy, the patient developed complete penile numbness postoperatively on the third day.


RESULTS
The patient experienced complete restoration of penile sensation and function by postoperative day 9 with conservative management.


CONCLUSIONS
Subacute penile shaft numbness after brachytherapy is rare and is caused by dorsal penile nerve compression. Over the course of a week, the restoration of penile sensation is likely to occur with conservative management.
Sharp
Hadley J
HJ
Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Swanson
David A
DA
Patel
Hiral
H
Gorbatiy
Vladislav
V
Frenzel
John C
JC
Frank
Steven J
SJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen