MEMBERS
0
AUD$0.00 0 items

No products in the cart.

MRI used in prostate cancer treatment to protect erectile tissue

MRI used in prostate cancer treatment to protect erectile tissue

20 August 2025

Researchers in Sydney have found a way to significantly reduce radiation dose to erectile tissue when treating prostate cancer with radiation therapy. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the previously invisible nerves and arteries thought to be responsible for producing erections can be seen – and avoided in radiation therapy treatment.

When using ‘erectile tissue sparing’ treatment plans, the researchers found that radiation dose to these structures dropped significantly, and in one key artery in the pelvis – the internal pudendal artery – by an average of 28%.

Published in the Journal of Medical Radiation Science (JMRS), this research could pave the way for erectile tissue sparing to become a standard part of radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer affects one in six Australian men in their lifetime. While the disease has a relatively high cure rate, erectile dysfunction is a feared side effect among many patients.

President of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Naomi Gibson, says reducing side effects is a critical part of cancer care.

“Side effects following cancer treatment can have a big impact on mental wellbeing and satisfaction with treatment. These research results should give hope to prostate cancer patients.”

The research team agrees, saying successful cancer treatment is about “both cure and quality of life”.

The study involved 30 prostate cancer patients with a median age of 70 years. Their cancers were classified as ISUP (International Society of Urological Pathology) Grades 2 to 4. The ISUP grading system ranges from grade group 1 to 5, with higher grades indicating a greater likelihood of aggressive tumour behaviour and faster disease progression.

The ‘erectile tissue sparing’ treatment plans are designed for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) – a modern type of radiation therapy that delivers high radiation doses to the tumour in a short timeframe. SBRT is increasingly the standard type of radiation therapy used for prostate cancer.

More studies are necessary to determine whether this reduction in radiation dose results in better erectile function following treatment.

Planning for Preservation: Feasibility of Erectile Tissue Sparing during Prostate Stereotactic Radiotherapy is available in the JMRS under Early View.

ENDS

Media enquiries

Simone Costa
simone.costa@asmirt.org
0421 046 102

Successful cancer treatment is defined by both cure and quality of life. Image credit: Pexels.
This chart shows the difference in radiation dose to the internal pudendal artery using an erectile-tissue-sparing treatment plan, versus a non-erectile-tissue-sparing treatment plan.
Mean and maximum radiation doses to the internal pudendal artery (IPA) in non-erectile tissue sparing (NETS) and erectile tissue sparing (ETS) plans.
A graph showing the difference in radiation dose to neurovascular bundles using erectile-tissue-sparing treatment plans versus non-erectile-tissue-sparing treatment plans.
Maximum radiation doses to neurovascular bundles (NVB) in non-erectile tissue sparing (NETS) and erectile tissue sparing (ETS) plans.
Member Advantage program

Keep Informed

Join the ASMIRT community and stay up to date. Get the latest news from the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
We will send you regular updates via our eNews newsletter.
Subscription Form

ASMIRT

Australian Society of Medical
Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Suite 1040-1044 (Level 10),
1 Queens Road Melbourne
VIC 3004 Australia
Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation
Therapy acknowledges the diverse Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples of Australia as the traditional owners
of the lands upon which we and our members operate.
We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and
future, and value their continued custodianship of the lands,
waters and seas.
© ASMIRT 2024 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | PRIVACY | TERMS | SITEMAP