In a nutshell
The authors aimed to determine the effects of sildenafil citrate in improving sexual function after radiotherapy.
Some background
Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays to target and cure cancer with minimal damage to normal cells and is a common treatment option in prostate cancer. It can be given from outside the body or from within the body. Side-effects from treatment can include reductions in sexual functioning or erectile dysfunction (inability to have an erection). Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is a drug that can be taken to treat erectile dysfunction.
Methods & findings
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of sildenafil citrate on sexual function in patients following radiotherapy.
279 patients were used in this study. 186 patients were given sildenafil citrate and 93 patients were given a placebo (a dummy pill containing no active ingredients).
Patients who received sildenafil citrate experienced greater erectile function over 12 months compared to the placebo group, where 73% of sildenafil citrate patients experienced mild/no erectile dysfunction compared to 50% of placebo patients. Patients given sildenafil citrate had an improved overall survival (patients who did not die from prostate cancer following treatment) compared to placebo patients.
At 24 months results were no longer significantly different between the groups, but overall satisfaction and sexual satisfaction was higher in the sildenafil citrate group comapred to the placebo group.
At 3 months, 91.4% of sildenafil citrate patients compared to 63.6% of placebo patients achieved a functional erection without medication. At 6 months, 78.4% of sildenafil citrate patients compared to 47.6% of placebo patients achieved a functional erection without medication. 81.6% of sildenafil citrate patients achieved a functional erection at 24 months compared to 56% of placebo patients.
Patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT – hormone therapy that targets the male hormones involved in prostate cancer, such as testosterone) had worse erectile dysfunction compared to patients in either treatment groups.
The bottom line
The authors conclude that sildenafil citrate taken during and after radiotherapy was associated with improved sexual functioning.
The fine print
This study is the first of its kind and requires further research to be widely applied.
What’s next?
If you are considering radiotherapy and have concerns about the side-effects following treatment, please consult your doctor.
Published By :
Journal of Urology
Date :
Mar 03, 2014
