[Sexual consequences after treatment of prostate cancer: Inquiry among members of the Association Nationale des Malades du Cancer de la Prostate]

Abstract

Introduction: Complications of prostate cancer treatments are responsible of a lower quality of life. We evaluated the prevalence and the perceptions of sexual consequences of prostate cancer treatments.

Materials and methods: A retrospective self-administered questionnaire was sent to all the members of the Association Nationale des Malades du Cancer de la Prostate (ANAMACAP). All the answers were analyzed.

Results: 226 questionnaires were analyzed, the average age was 67.3 years old, the average follow-up was 58.1 months. 110 patients had surgery only, 29 had hormone therapy plus radiotherapy, 28 had radiation therapy only and 49 had combined treatments. After the treatment of the prostate cancer, an erectile dysfunction was reported by 75.2% of the patients; an orgasmic dysfunction by 69%; a climacturia by 21%; a reduced penile length by 70% of them and a less sensitive glans by 59%. They were responsible of a lower quality of life for 75% to 90% of the patients depending on the symptom. A PDE5-inhibitor treatment was effective for only 25.6% of them when taken daily and for 39% on demand.

Conclusion: Functional consequences of prostate cancer treatments are common, diverse and directly involved in the sexual life. It is necessary to improve therapeutical education and onco-sexology with the help of patients' associations, to build a new balance in the couples.

Level of evidence: 3.

Keywords: Cancer de prostate; Dysfonction érectile; Erectile dysfunction; Inhibiteur PDE5; Orgasm; Orgasme; PDE5-inhibitors; Prostate Neoplasm; Sexuality; Sexualité.