Having a kidney removed as part of an anti-cancer treatment appears to boost the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, according to a new study funded by the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and published in the British Journal of Urology International.
Urologic surgeon Dr. Ithaar Derweesh and colleagues at the UC San Diego Health System and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center analysed 264 patients who underwent a radical nephrectomy (removal of an entire kidney) for the treatment of kidney cancer, and 168 who underwent a partial nephrectomy (removal of only part of the kidney). The patients' sexual health as well as sexual activity levels were assessed prior to surgery and six months following surgery.
They found a four-fold increase in erectile dysfunction among the patients who had a radical nephrectomy: Nearly 30 percent of these patients experienced newly developed ED, compared to just under 10 percent in the group that had a partial nephrectomy. After some other factors were taken into account, the researchers concluded that a radical nephrectomy led to a risk factor of ED 3.5 times higher than a partial one.
Prior research has demonstrated that a partial nephrectomy is just as effective in anti-cancer treatment as a radical nephrectomy, suggesting that the latter be considered a line of last resort.
The researchers claim that this is the first study to appear in the literature to demonstrate a risk factor associated with erectile function from kidney removal.
Source: LA Times
The information provided on CancerTreatment.net is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information is solely for informational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. We encourage all visitors to see a licensed physician or nutritionist if they have any concerns regarding health issues related to diet, personal image and any other topics discussed on this site. Neither the owners or employees of CancerTreatment.net nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.
