Comparative analysis of indicators of erectile function in patients with localized prostate cancer after brachytherapy and radical prostatectomy

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy with sources of different powers are included in the standard guidelines for the treatment of patients with localized prostate cancer (LPC). Due to the improvement of early diagnosis, LPC is increasingly diagnosed in young patients, for whom preservation of erectile function (EF) is an important criterion of quality of life and satisfaction with the results of prostate cancer treatment. Purpos: To estimate the effect of radical prostatectomy and brachytherapy by sources of different dose rates in patients with LPC on EF. Materials and methods: The work was based on the analysis of data from 176 patients with LPC who received treatment in the amount of low-power and high-power brachytherapy (192Ir or 125I) and radical prostatectomy. Indicators of EF before and after treatment were assessed by the IIEF-5 questionnaires. Results: Regardless of the type of radical treatment, a statistically significant deterioration of EF indices after treatment was revealed (p