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Introduction for sexuality after prostate cancer

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 389–390 (2021)Cite this article

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Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men and a leading cause of cancer death in the western world [1]. Fortunately, several treatment options are available regarding both localized and disseminated cancer [2, 3]. Meanwhile, quality of life in general and sexual health in particular is affected for most patients at every step of the way from diagnosis to advanced treatments [4, 5]. Importantly, sexuality has significance, which reaches far beyond simple pleasure. Thus, it is tied to important quality of life aspects such as the feeling of masculinity, relationship stability, and the expression of intimacy [5].

The current special issue of IJIR addresses the topic of prostate cancer and sexuality. The main goal is to make the reader able to understand and deal with the issues in clinical practice. However, it is my sincere hope that these papers, written by clinical experts and authorities on their topics, will also make the readers more capable of understanding the patients’ and their partners’ perspectives. The issue will take us on a journey beginning with the cancer diagnosis as Gianotten describes possible sexual consequences of the inevitable psychological strain this will cause. Importantly he also stresses and describes the role of the health care professional at this stage and dives into the topic of pre-habilitation before treatment in a subsequent perspective paper. In the issue, expert authors then go through potential problems, which may arise from, surgery, radiation, focal therapies, salvage treatments, and medical treatment. It will also describe the concept of sexual rehabilitation for prostate cancer patients in papers by Russo et al., Vanderhaeghe et al., and Nguyen et al. Importantly, the issue will deal with sexual problems beyond erectile dysfunction and also discuss problems such as orgasmic disturbances and climacturia following treatments with curative intent. These problems are often neglected both when informing the patients before treatment and during follow up. This is particularly detrimental as a high degree of embarrassment concerning especially urinary incontinence during sexual activity may prevent patients from venting their concerns [6]. We also have special focus on the issues of nonheterosexual prostate cancer patients in several of the papers, most detailed in the submission of Dr Shindel. Further, we have included a review paper by Dr Yafi’s group describing the controversial issue of testosterone deficiency in the face of prostate cancer. This topic has received increasing attention for the last few years as the causative link between prostate cancer and testosterone has been called into question [7]. This has left the urological community wondering if hypogonadal prostate cancer patients have been undertreated without good reason. In addition to the physical consequences of prostate cancer and its treatments, Dr Walker provides us with practical advice in dealing with the psychosocial aspects of patients’ and their partners’ sexual recovery. Finally, Dr Lund’s group touches on the current state and future perspectives of regenerative medicine for this group of men and discuss if this can be expected to eliminate sexual difficulties in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark

    Mikkel Fode

  2. Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Mikkel Fode

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Correspondence to Mikkel Fode.

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Mikkel Fode is a speaker for Astellas Pharma and an advisor for Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

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Fode, M. Introduction for sexuality after prostate cancer. Int J Impot Res 33, 389–390 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-00395-3

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