Evaluating the impact of time between radical prostatectomy (RP) and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) on erectile function recovery (EFR)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction RT post-RP in men with PSA recurrence improves survival. It is also associated with a higher rate of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (ED). Objective We attempted to evaluate if the time period between RP and adjuvant RT predicts EFR outcomes. Methods Men who received RT post-RP with ≥2 years post-RT follow-up were analyzed. ADT and RT pre-RP were exclusions. Demographics, comorbidities and pathological parameters and IIEF erectile function domain (EFD) scores were recorded. We report median EFD scores and factors correlated with EFR ≥24 months post-RT. Factors included: patient age, comorbidities, smoking status, baseline pre-RP and pre-RT Testosterone (T), prostate specific antigen (PSA), baseline EFD score, Nerve-Vascular bundle (NVB) status, and time between RP and RT. Results 126 men were included. Mean age at RP was 63 ± 7 years. Mean pre-RP T was 390 ± 222 ng/dL, PSA, 10.2 ± 10.4 ng/mL and median EFD score were 27 (IQR = 20-30). Median pre-RT T was 376.9 ± 187 ng/dL, PSA 0.25 ± 0.33 ng/mL, and median EFD score was 9 (IQR = 3-20). 54% of patients had bilateral NVB preservation, and 29.5% unilateral. 71% received ADT with their RT, the median duration of ADT exposure was 4.5 (IQR = 3-8.5) months. Median time between RP and RT was 14.9 months (IQR = 8.5-28.6) months; 41% had ≤1 year between RP and RT. 2 years post RT, median EFD was 9.5 (IQR = 3-22). 22% had a score ≥24. EFD score at follow-up was correlated with age at RP (r=-0.32, p<.001), and pre-RT EFD score (r=0.56, p<.001). Time between RP and RT did not correlate with EFD score at follow up (r=0.08, p=0.39). Conclusions In our prostate cancer patients cohort post-RP/RT, EFR is lower; almost 4 of 5 patients will have some ED degree at two years post-RT. The period time between RP and RT is not correlated with EFR post-RT. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.