Impact of Peri-operative tEstosterone Levels on oNcological and Functional Outcomes in RadiCal prostatEctomy
Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of radical prostatectomy (RP) and has a significant negative impact on quality of life. With age the testosterone level in men declines; around 30% of men over 70 years of age meet the criteria of testosterone deficiency (TD). The negative impact of both TD and RP on sexual performance are likely to add up. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on functional and oncological outcomes in testosterone deficient men following RP for prostate cancer (PCa).
• Men aged 18 years or older
• Histologically confirmed prostate cancer
• Radical prostatectomy performed as primary treatment
• At least one-sided nerve-sparing procedure performed
• Non-metastatic disease (cN0M0) based on the use of nomograms or imaging
• Undetectable PSA level (\<0.1 µg/l or unmeasurable according to local protocol) within six weeks following RP
• A preoperative minimal sexual function, defined as a score of 40 points or more (out of 100) for the EPIC-26 sexual function domain
• Testosterone deficiency, defined as total testosterone \<8 nmol/L, or total testosterone between 8-12 nmol/L with free testosterone \<225 pmol/L, measured on two separate occasions, with normal or elevated luteinising hormone (LH)