Objective: To evaluate prospectively the sexual function of patients undergoing cryosurgery as a primary radical treatment for localized prostate cancer, as the development of 17 G cryotherapy probes has improved the delivery of this treatment, but one of the side-effects of cryosurgery is the development of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Patients and methods: Between July 2003 and May 2008, 53 patients were treated using an argon-based third-generation cryotherapy system (Oncura, Arlington Heights, IL, USA). Prospective data were collected at 6 weeks, 3 months, then 3-monthly up to 1 year and subsequently 6-monthly. Patients were followed up for up to 54 months, with a median (mean) follow-up 36 (30.5) months.
Results: All 53 patients were followed after receiving cryosurgery as primary treatment for prostate cancer; 51 (96.3%) had ED at 6 weeks while two (3.7%) were experiencing partial erections. By 9 months one (2.4%) of 42 patients was fully potent using phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors, and six (14.3%) were experiencing partial erections. By 18 months eight (21%) of 39 patients followed up had regained full potency and by 24 months eight (24%) of 33 patients were fully potent and three (9%) experienced partial erections.
Conclusion: While ED is a significant side-effect of cryotherapy, a considerable proportion of patients who have no ED before treatment (39%) recover full sexual function afterward. Focal nerve-sparing cryosurgery might be the way forward in an attempt to preserve erectile function in men who had no ED before treatment. Erectile aids should be made available for those patients for whom sexual dysfunction compromises the quality of their life and relationships.