Higher radiation doesn't affect sex
Research by U.S. physicians indicates the new trend of treating prostate cancer with higher radiation doses does not lead to more sexual dysfunction.
The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology in Los Angeles, looked at sexual function after six, 12 and 24 months after radiation treatment with intensity-modulated ration therapy, or IMRT.
"Sexual dysfunction can be a result of radiation treatment for prostate cancer," lead study author Dr. Mark Buyyounouski of Philadelphia's Fox Chase Cancer Center, said in a statement. "IMRT is revolutionizing how we treat men with prostate cancer because it improves our ability to avoid normal tissue. As a result, more radiation dose can be delivered to the prostate by increasing the amount of radiation each day."
Seventy-seven men received a seven-week treatment and 78 men received a shorter regimen with a higher daily dose of radiation. There was no significant difference in sexual function scores between the two groups at six, 12 months or 24 months following treatment.
IMRT uses very small beams aimed at a tumor from many angles that allows the radiation dose to bend around healthy tissues. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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