Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39277705›Full record

SynthesisProstate cancer and prostatic diseases2025

Ejaculatory function after radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Umar Ghaffar, Behzad Abbasi, Kevin D Li, Nikit Venishetty, Nizar Hakam, Adrian Fernandez, Robert Pearce, Hiren V Patel, Marvin N Carlisle, Benjamin N Breyer

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Umar GhaffarDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6789-8052
Behzad AbbasiDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Kevin D LiDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Nikit VenishettyPaul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA.
Nizar HakamDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Adrian FernandezDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-9918-5783
Robert PearceDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Hiren V PatelDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6475-670X
Marvin N CarlisleDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Benjamin N BreyerDepartment of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. Benjamin.Breyer@ucsf.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundScant data exists on the impacts of prostate radiation on ejaculatory function. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess ejaculatory outcomes in men after prostate radiation.

methodsWe queried PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify 17 articles assessing ejaculatory function post-radiation. The primary outcome was anejaculation rate and secondary outcomes included ejaculatory volume (EV), ejaculatory discomfort, and mean decline in ejaculatory function scores (EFS). We assessed study quality with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. We calculated pooled proportions using inverse variance and random effects models.

resultsWe identified 17 observational studies with 2156 patients reporting ejaculatory profiles post-radiation. Seven studies utilized external beam radiation therapy, 7 brachytherapy, 1 stereotactic RT and 2 utilized either external or brachytherapy. Ten studies reported an anejaculation rate. Pooled proportion of patients having anejaculation, decreased EV and EjD were 18% (95% CI, 11-36%), 85% (95% CI, 81-89%) and 24% (95% CI, 16-35%), respectively. Five studies reported decline in EFS post-radiation.

conclusionsPatients receiving radiation treatment may experience significant changes in their ejaculation, such as the absence of ejaculation, reduced EV, and EjD. It is important to counsel them about these potential side effects.

Indexed as

EjaculationProstatic NeoplasmsSexual Dysfunction, PhysiologicalBrachytherapyHumansMaleRadiotherapy

Identifiers

PMID39277705

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.