Hormone therapy plus radiation reduced average length 2.2 inches in
study

NEW YORK - Men who receive combination treatment with hormone therapy
plus radiation for local or locally advanced prostate cancer may
experience a significant reduction in penile length, according to a
report in the January issue of the Journal of Urology.

There has been anecdotal evidence that radiation therapy can reduce
penile length but, to the authors' knowledge, the present study is the
first to determine if penile length changes following combination
treatment with hormone therapy plus radiation.

Dr. Ahmet Haliloglu and colleagues at the University of Ankara in Turkey
enrolled 47 men with local or locally advanced prostate cancer. The
patients, who were followed from 2000 to 2005, received leuprolide or
goserelin injections every three months, for a total of three doses. At
Month 7, radiotherapy, using a 70-Gy dose, was initiated and continued
for seven weeks.

Just before treatment began, the average stretched penile length was 5.6
inches. Eighteen months later, the average penile length had shortened
significantly to 3.4 inches.

Erectile function was also adversely affected by treatment. Roughly 23
percent of men had normal erectile function before therapy. Eighteen
months later, 12.5 percent were able to have an erection that was
suitable for intercourse.

"Quality-of-life concerns are important when considering treatment
options for prostate cancer," the investigators conclude. Before
starting combination hormone and radiation therapy, the patient should
be told that "penile shortening may occur."

Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited.

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional    
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
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