CHICAGO, IL USA (UroToday) - This session included previous research suggesting lower levels of serum bioavailable testosterone (bT) are associated with a greater prevalence of erectile dysfunction among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.
In a study of 134 men, researchers evaluated questionnaires and reported that while there was no association between bT and Gleason score, the men with lower bT trended towards poorer erectile function (based on the responses to the IEFF questions). The data also showed an association between bT and depression. The bT levels were not associated with more aggressive prostate cancer.
Dr. Parker also reported on a second study of 365 men who had prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. He discussed the relationship between cancer-specific anxiety (CSA) and sexual function, depression, and cancer aggressiveness following prostatectomy. A Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX_PC) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index (EPIC) were assessed at one year. Higher MAX-PC scores were associated with younger men, non-Caucasian men, a higher incidence of depression, and sexual dissatisfaction.
This data supports the models to predict men at high risk for cancer-specific anxiety following prostate cancer surgery and who may need to be referred for counseling.
Presented by Alexander S. Parker, MD* at the annual World Meeting on Sexual Medicine (WMSM) - August 26 - 30, 2012 - Sheraton Chicago - Chicago, Illinois USA
*Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Reported for UroToday by Karen Roberts, Medical Editor
