Sexuality of prostate cancer patients following radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy (RPE) represents the gold standard for radical surgical management of non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). While robot-assisted and laparoscopic RPE modalities offer distinct advantages, they are also associated with various complications, notably sexual dysfunction. Sexual disorders following PCa treatment are highly prevalent and exert a profound impact on patients’ quality of life, self-esteem, and interpersonal relationships within both familial and professional spheres. The primary treatment modalities for prostate cancer frequently result in a spectrum of sexual disorders, encompassing erectile and orgasmic dysfunction, diminished libido, androgen deprivation symptoms, as well as alterations in penile morphology characterized by reductions in length and girth, along with penile curvature. The objective of this review was to critically evaluate the accumulated body of evidence pertaining to the diagnosis and management of sexual dysfunctions following RPE. The analysis incorporated peer-reviewed articles authored by both international and domestic researchers spanning the period from 2014 to 2024, in addition to foundational literature predating this period and comprehensive sources addressing sexual dysfunction in PCa patients post-RPE. The findings of our review underscore the multifaceted nature of sexual disorders encountered in patients following RPE, thereby corroborating the escalating necessity for the development and implementation of innovative interventions aimed at enhancing sexual health outcomes in patients undergoing radical prostate surgery.

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