Penile length changes in men treated with androgen suppression plus radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer

Abstract

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.