Sexual function after permanent I-brachytherapy for prostate cancer

We prospectively assessed patients’ erectile function (EF) using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and a global assessment questionnaire (GAQ) following permanent Ibrachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. Of 378 treated patients, 220 had a minimal 2-y follow-up and 131/220 were sexually active prior to brachytherapy, with an EF domain score of Z11 (study group). Patients were allowed sildenafil at any time of the study. The patients’ mean EF score, without excluding patients who used sildenafil, dropped within 3 months after brachytherapy, recovered at the end of the first year and remained unchanged for at least up to 2 y after treatment regardless of the addition of neoadjuvant hormone therapy to Ibrachytherapy. Analysis of the GAQ revealed that 80% of the patients were satisfied with their sexual function up to 3 y after treatment. Any detrimental effect of permanent brachytherapy with or without the addition of hormone therapy on EF is reversible, and recovery is expected at 1 y after treatment in most patients. International Journal of Impotence Research advance online publication, 21 October 2004; doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901271