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Erectile function after focal therapy for localized prostate cancer: a systematic review

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 418–427 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Focal therapy modalities achieved interest in the management of prostate cancer (PCa) over the last a few years. This systematic review was aimed to investigate erectile function after focal therapy for localized PCa. Twenty-six out of 1287 reports were identified through a database systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science, supplemented with hand search, on June 1st, 2020, according to PRISMA guidelines. Focal therapy modalities investigated were cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), photodynamic therapy (TOOKAD), irreversible electroporation (IRE), and focal radiotherapy (RT) (i.e. brachytherapy or stereotactic RT). Overall, reported sexual function outcomes after these treatment modalities were generally good, with many studies reporting a complete recovery of EF at 1-year follow-up. However, the quality of current evidence is affected both by the lack of well-conducted comparative studies and by a significant heterogeneity in terms of study design, study population, erectile and sexual function assessment modalities.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Giuseppe Fallara, Paolo Capogrosso

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology; URI; IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Fallara, Francesco Montorsi & Andrea Salonia

  2. University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    Giuseppe Fallara, Francesco Montorsi & Andrea Salonia

  3. Unit of Urology; ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, Varese, Italy, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Paolo Capogrosso, Paolo Maggio, Alessandro Taborelli & Federico Dehò

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Correspondence to Paolo Capogrosso.

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Fallara, G., Capogrosso, P., Maggio, P. et al. Erectile function after focal therapy for localized prostate cancer: a systematic review. Int J Impot Res 33, 418–427 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00357-9

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