Premium
Sexual rehabilitation of the prostate cancer patient
Author(s) -
Sprouse David O.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19950401)75:7+<1954::aid-cncr2820751632>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - medicine , prostate cancer , rehabilitation , prostate , cancer , oncology , gynecology , physical therapy
Since the accidental discovery in the early 1980s that a pharmacologic agent introduced into a man's penis resulted in an erection, a revolution in sexual rehabilitation has been in progress. For the patient with prostate cancer, in particular, this has been good news. Although, the patient with prostate cancer may or may not have been experiencing erectile dysfunction before surgery, researchers estimate that 85% will experience some decrease in sexual functioning after surgery. Basically, the patient with prostate cancer has five options for sexual rehabilitation. First, the patient may choose to do nothing. Second, psychologic therapy may be warranted to assist the patient in coping with changes in his life style and sexual functioning. Third, is the vacuum tumescence device, which is easy to use and effective. Fourth, pharmacologic penile injections of papaverine, phentolamine, and/or prostaglandin E‐1, used individually or in combination, are a popular, effective choice. Fifth, penile prosthesis are available in three models, all of which are effective and have a high satisfaction rate. Cancer 1995;75:1954–6.