Saif Ur Rahman, Nasir Ali.
Effect of Pelvic Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer on Bowel, Bladder and Sexual functions.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;12(7):406-9.

Objective: To study the effects of pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer on sexual, bowel and urinary functions. Study Design: A prospective cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore from July 1998 to January 2000. Patients and Methods: This study included 52 patients with diagnosis of prostate cancer who were given external beam pelvic radiotherapy. The effects of pelvic radiotherapy on their sexual, bowel and bladder functions were calculated at 6, 12 and 18 months and mean composite scores for each entity were examined. Results: Decrease in sexual function (upto 35%) was most significant observation followed by bowel dysfunction (10-12%). Bladder function deranged early during radiotherapy but there was no remarkable bladder dysfunction. Overall a good proportion of patients (70 - 72%) felt satisfied with their treatment by external beam radiotherapy. By lapse of time there was gradual worsening of erectile function especially after a couple of months of pelvic radiotherapy, while bowel and bladder functions improved 8 -12 months postradiotherapy. Conclusion: Proper counseling of patients regarding potential side effects of pelvic radiotherapy can make them understand the outcome of treatment.

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