Trial Information

Prevalence of Neglected Side Effects to Radical Prostatectomy

Approximately 1 out of 6 men will, at some point of their life become diagnosed with
prostate cancer. Treatment options included medication therapy, radiation therapy, and
surgery. This data collection aims to gather information on some of the lesser known
distresses experienced by patients following surgical removal of the prostate gland.

Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence remain common, but thoroughly investigated
side effects. Thus they will not be of primary interest here, but considered factors for
correlation. During the last couple of years, a series of lesser known side effects have
come to investigators attention. These include altered perception of orgasm, orgasm related
pain, sexual-related urinary incontinence, and shortening -and impairing deviations of the
penis. Few studies have investigated these side effects, and clear knowledge of why, and how
often these problems arise, remain scarce. This study will contribute to that knowledge.

In addition, the questionnaire will include a series of exploratory questions, concerning
lower urinary tract infections, treatment satisfaction, alcohol and urinary incontinence,
reasons for abandoning treatment for erectile dysfunction, and an assessment of libido prior
to and after radical prostatectomy.

The data collection will include approximately 400 patients from the department of urology
at the University Hospital in Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark. A questionnaire will be sent to
patients together with a stamped addressed envelope in order to optimize the response rate.
Results will be kept in a separate database from personal information.