title: Evaluation of erectile dysfunction risk factors in young male survivors of colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Improved long-term survival of colorectal cancer patients (CRC) treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy ± radiotherapy (RT) has led to increased awareness of long-term side effects, including effecting sexual life, which can ultimately affect the quality of life in these patients. Because the absolute risk factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) have not been defined in CRC patients, the aim of this research was to identify the severity and the absolute risk factors of ED in male CRC survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 61 male survivors of CRC treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy ± RT were retrieved from the medical oncology outpatient clinics during routine follow-up visits in 2011-2012. Patients older than 55 years and those with ED history before diagnosis were excluded. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire was filled in by the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient mean age was 47.6±6.7 years (range 18-55) at the time of filling in the questionnaire. According to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, 83.6% of the patients had some degree of ED. The risk factors of erectile dysfunction were advancing age (p=0.01), tumor location (p=0.01), type of surgery (p=0.02), presence of stoma (p=0.03)) and RT (p=0.005). Chemotherapy didn't impact ED (p=0.46). Also, there was no significant correlation between smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stage of the tumor and ED. Also hormonal disturbances such as serum FSH, LH and testesterone levels did not affect the presence of ED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, 83.6% of the male CRC survivors had some degree of ED according to the IIEF. The risk factors of ED were advancing age, tumor location, type of operation, presence of stoma and RT. Clinicians should be aware of these risk factors to offer their patients adequate treatment options and also come up with new treatment strategies necessary to reduce further ED in CRC survivors.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet A N
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sendur
authors.forename: Sercan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aksoy
authors.forename: Nuriye Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Sebnem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.forename: Ozan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yazici
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bulent Akinci
authors.forename: Dogan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uncu
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zengin
authors.forename: Kadri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altundag
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors