Preserving erectile function after seed brachytherapy is "multifactorial," with several factors affecting its success, British and Australian researchers say.

Seed brachytherapy is often used to treat prostate cancer, either alone or with other treatments. A form of radiotherapy, it involves placing radioactive pellets close to the cancer cells. 

The study, first published online in July in Radiotherapy and Oncology, had 336 participants with a mean age of 62. All of the men had localized prostate cancer and were treated with brachytherapy alone.

Overall, the 5-year actuarial rate of erectile function preservation was 59% after treatment. However, rates depended on factors such as age, comorbidities, the aggressiveness of the cancer, and the biologically effective doses of radiation.

For example, who were age 60 or older when they received treatment had a 50% preservation rate. for men younger than 60, the rate was 69%.

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A new research summary has been posted to the ISSM website. 

"Postprostatectomy ED: Potential of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells-Based Micro-Tissues in a Rat Model" by Yongde Xu PhD, et al. was first published online in July in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The researchers investigated the use of micro-tissues based on adipose-derived stem cells in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in rats who underwent cavernous nerves injury.

Please click here to see the full summary.