Penile Length Changes in Men Treated With Androgen Suppression Plus Radiation Therapy for Local or Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Received 1 January 2006
Purpose
We determined penile length alterations in men treated with androgen suppression plus radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer.
Materials and Methods
From November 2000 to November 2005, 47 patients were enrolled in this prospective study. After clinical staging all patients received hormonal therapy (luteinizing hormone releasing agonist, leuprolide acetate or goserelin every 3 months for a total of 3 injections) and at month 7 of hormonal therapy radiation therapy was begun (total 70 Gy) for 7 weeks. Stretched penile length measurements were performed before starting androgen suppression therapy and every 3 months thereafter with a paper ruler.
Results
With the initiation of therapy a gradual decrease in stretched penile length was observed. Penile shortening was statistically significant at a mean followup of 18 months (mean 14.2 to 8.6 cm, p <0.001).
Conclusions
Our findings support observations of decreased penile length after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy plus external beam radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer. Patients should be counseled before therapy that penile shortening may occur.
University of Ankara, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence: Department of Urology, Ibni Sina Hospital, 06100, Ankara, Turkey (FAX: +90 312 311 2167).
Nothing to disclose.
Editor’s Note: This article is the first of 5 published in this issue for which category 1 CME credits can be earned. Instructions for obtaining credits are given with the questions on pages 410 and 411.
ABSTRACT