Efficacy of oral sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate Journal Article


Authors: Zelefsky, M. J.; McKee, A. B.; Lee, H.; Leibel, S. A.
Article Title: Efficacy of oral sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy for carcinoma of the prostate
Abstract: Objectives. To determine the efficacy of sildenafil for patients with erectiLe dysfunction after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer. Methods. Fifty patients with erectile dysfunction after radiotherapy were treated with sildenafil. Their median age was 68 years (range 54 to 78). All were treated with a three-dimensional conformal external beam radiotherapy approach, and the median dose prescribed to the planning target volume was 75.6 Gy. Patients were initially given 50 mg of sildenafil and instructed to use the medication on at least three occasions. They were then contacted to ascertain the efficacy of and tolerance to the medication. Results. Significant improvement in the firmness of the erection after sildenafil was reported in 37 patients (74%), 2 (4%) had partial improvement, and 11 (22%) had no response. Significant improvement in the durability of the erection was reported in 33 patients (66%), 3 (6%) had partial improvement, and 14 (28%) reported no improvement. Patients with partial or moderate erectile function before using sildenafil were more likely to benefit from the medication compared with those with absent function. Among 29 patients with erections classified as partial after radiotherapy, 26 (90%) had a significant response to the medication. In contrast, only 11 (52%) of 21 with erections classified as flaccid after radiotherapy had a significant response to the medication (P = 0.007). Conclusions. Sildenafil improved erectile function in greater than two thirds of patients with postradiotherapy impotence. Patients with less severe dysfunction are most likely to benefit from this intervention.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; diarrhea; drug efficacy; cancer radiotherapy; radiotherapy; incidence; flushing; prostatic neoplasms; heart palpitation; drug mechanism; drug response; headache; piperazines; administration, oral; erectile dysfunction; sexual function; drug tolerance; sildenafil; phosphodiesterase inhibitors; impotence; prostate carcinoma; oral drug administration; humans; human; male; priority journal; article
Journal Title: Urology
Volume: 53
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0090-4295
Publisher: Elsevier Science, Inc.  
Date Published: 1999-04-01
Start Page: 775
End Page: 778
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s0090-4295(98)00594-9
PUBMED: 10197855
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Michael J Zelefsky
    754 Zelefsky
  2. Henry Lee
    26 Lee
  3. Andrea B Mckee
    9 Mckee
  4. Steven A Leibel
    252 Leibel