20 August 2025
Researchers in Sydney have found a way to significantly reduce radiation dose to erectile tissue when treating prostate cancer with stereotactic body radiation therapy. Using 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 (ETS) treatment plans, dose to these structures dropped significantly - and to the internal pudendal arteries by an average of 28%.
The study is available in the JMRS.
This research could pave the way for erectile tissue sparing to become a standard part of radiation therapy treatment.
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.
ASMIRT President 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. ISUP grading ranges from grade group 1 to 5, with higher grades indicating a greater likelihood of aggressive tumour behaviour and faster disease progression.
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 was written by Felicity Hudson, Glen Dinsdale, Tony Young, Anne McMaster, Tania Erven, Olivia Ryan, Sankar Arumugamy, Theresa Nguyen and Mark Sidhom.
JMRS is the journal of ASMIRT, and the New Zealand Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (NZSMIRT).
