Sexual life of male patients with advanced renal cancer treated with angiogenesis inhibitors

Background: The advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) affects patients mainly ~60 years of age and who may have an active sex life. The objective of the study was to investigate possible sexual disorders in a male population with advanced RCC treated with a molecular targeted therapy (MTT). Patients and methods: Thirty-eight male patients with a stabilized advanced RCC on MTT were proposed a personal interview about their sexual life, filled in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) auto-questionnaire, and were reassessed if the treatment was modified. Results: This is the first evaluation of sexual life while on MTT. For 64% of the patients (median age 59 years, treatment duration 12 months), the quality of their sexual life was considered important. The scores of the IIEF were reduced from 30% to 60% in erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction. The erectile dysfunction was more severe in the MTT population compared with age-stratified general or urological populations. The disorders were reversible in a few cases after treatment interruption. Conclusions: Patients on MTT for an advanced RCC experience a decline of sexual activity. Onco-urologists should systematically inform, screen, initiate management, and refer patients to sexual medicine physicians.