A systematic review of radiation‐induced testicular toxicities following radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract

Background Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men in the world, and radiotherapy is used as a standard treatment modality for this cancer. Although this treatment modality effectively kills prostate cancerous cells, it unavoidably irradiates the organs/tissues that are away from the treatment site. In this regard, radiation‐induced testicular toxicities following prostate radiotherapy can affect sexual function, reproduction, and quality of life in cancer survivors. This review summarizes the available data on testicular exposure to radiation during prostate radiotherapy and the consequences on testicular function. Methods To illuminate the radiation‐induced testicular toxicities following prostate radiotherapy, a systematic search was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guideline in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and clinical trials electronic databases up to September 2018. According to a set of prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 eligible articles providing data on testicular function following radiotherapy in patients with prostate cancer were included in the study. Results According to the different radiotherapeutic techniques used for prostate cancer treatment, the total tumor dose and scattered testicular dose values were ranging from 36.25 to 78.00 Gy and 0.06 to 6.48 Gy, respectively. Luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone levels after prostate radiotherapy were significantly higher in comparison with the pretreatment levels. Around 60% of the studies showed that testosterone levels after prostate radiotherapy were significantly lower than the pretreatment levels. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction (ED), as an adverse side effect resulting from prostate radiotherapy, was reported and this complication is significantly correlated with lower satisfaction with sexual life. Testicular atrophy following prostate radiotherapy has also been observed and its frequency in patients with prior prostate radiotherapy is 2.5 times more than that in the patients without prior radiotherapy. Conclusion The data revealed that the scattered dose to testicular tissues during prostate radiotherapy can lead to testicular atrophy, variation of the male sex hormones, and quality of sexual life.

Genomic Instability and Carcinogenesis of Heavy Charged Particles Radiation: Clinical and Environmental Implications

“…This issue is an important concern for radiotherapy with low LET X-rays when the tumor is located within or next to a radiosensitive organ. For example, toxicity of spermatogenesis following prostate cancer radiotherapy, or thyroid damage after radiotherapy for breast cancer are major side effects for patients with these cancers [17,18]. In addition to acute reactions in normal tissues, lower incidence of second primary cancer some years after radiotherapy is another possible advantage of radiotherapy with charged particle radiations [19].…”

Identification of core genes associated with prostate cancer progression and outcome via bioinformatics analysis in multiple databases

“…Prostate cancer is the second most common male malignancy tumor in the world (Farhood et al, 2019). The morbidity and mortality of prostate cancer has surpassed bladder cancer and kidney cancer.…”

Гормональные Маркеры Рака Предстательной Железы И Лечение Больных

“…ПТ вважається методом вибору лікувальних заходів при РПЗ [17]. За нашими даними, у випадках променевого впливу на шляхи лімфотоку вміст LT зменшився на 9 % (t = 2,22, p = 0,032), а без додаткової такої ПТна 6 % (t = 5,77, p < 0,001).…”