Prostate cancer and ED

A recent study performed by the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor revealed that it is possible to predict the consequences of prostate cancer treatment.

Earlier, patients suffering from prostate cancer were unable to get a picture of what sexual problems they might face after treatment.

Now, scientists have developed models that allow to predict the development of erectile dysfunction after such treatment methods as include prostatectomy, external radiotherapy and brachytherapy.

The study found out that the quality of erections depends not only on the cancer treatment method, but also on the patient’s age, cancer stage and sexual life habits.

Comments to the study suggest that “Erectile dysfunction is a well-recognized consequence of primary prostate cancer treatment. Accurate prediction of this adverse sexual HRQOL outcome is pivotal to set appropriate expectations and facilitate medical decision-making. Our findings address this need by providing a validated, broadly applicable framework to predict the probability of long-term, post treatment erectile dysfunction for individual patients.”

More details about the study can be found in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

A group of researches from Harvard University under the direction of Dr. David Muni have constructed the likeness of a cell made from biodegrading polymer in which some “practice” lab consisting of porous polymeric matrix 90 % of which is occupied by air. The scientists applied cytokines (signal molecules) to it attracting special immune cells called dendritic.

Further according to the plan of Muni’s group is placed under the skin, while cytokines gradually penetrates into the ambient space creating the spectrum of concentration following which as a trace other dendritic cells get to the place of intrusion. In the tablets they find small fragments of genetic material similar to the DNA of bacteria. By them the dendritic bacteria detect that the invasion of aliens takes place. For the cell to know what to attack the fragments of the patient’s neoplasm are applied to the polymer. On their way back to the lymph nodes the dendritic cells seize all the molecules to transform the information to the T- lymphocytes and form the corresponding immune answer. The moment the implant gets inside the body the immune system finds out the dangerous material and starts it destruction. After that analogous “struggle” takes place in the whole organism.

The studies have shown that the application of the vaccine-implant allowed lowering the growth of neoplasms and raising the survival rate among mice with melanoma.