[A case of priapism successfully managed by local irradiation]

A 42-year-old man with priapism is reported. The condition did not improve by cavernous body irrigation with heparin, intravenous administration of anticoagulant, or various surgical shunt operations. However, the condition improved after local radiation therapy: a total dose of 6Gy, 1.5 Gy daily for 4 days, was given to a site 24 cm x 24 cm which covered the small pelvic cavity and the femoral area centering around the root of the penis. Improvement of the condition became evident from Day 3 of radiation therapy. For about 1 year since then the patient has been entirely free of recurrence.