Low-dose radiotherapy in 179 patients with Peyronie's disease: Treatment outcome and current sexual functioning

Purpose: To analyse retrospectively treatment outcome in patients irradiate d for Peyronie's disease, Methods and Materials: The records of 179 patients, median age 52 years,tha t received radiotherapy (RT) between 1982 and 1997 were reviewed. 78% prese nted with painful erections and 89% with penile deformity. The symptoms wer e present for a median duration of 6 months (range, 1-72 months). The RT sc hedule consisted of 13.5 Gy (9 x 1.5 Gy, 3 fractions per week) using orthov oltage X-rays in 123 patients or 12 Gy (6 x 2 Gy, daily fractions) using el ectrons in 56 patients. A questionnaire regarding current sexual functionin g was mailed to 130 patients whose addresses could be traced; 106 (82%) res ponded, Results: At mean follow-up period of 3 months, 83% reported that pain was d iminished or had disappeared after RT, Twenty-three percent of patients rep orted a decrease in penile deformity. Following RT, surgical correction of penile curvature was performed in 29% of patients. No RT-related complicati ons occurred except transient dysuria in 1 patient, Questionnaire data: 72% of patients were currently sexually active, 48% had erectile dysfunction, and 49% expressed dissatisfaction with their current sexual functioning. Conclusion: Low dose external RT (12-13.5 Gy) results in relief of pain in the majority of patients with Peyronie's disease. Improvement in penile def ormity was observed, avoiding surgery in a number of patients. No significa nt RT-associated morbidity was encountered. It is disappointing that almost 50% of patients complain of sexual functioning, but this is presumably not related to radiotherapy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.