Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
07:25

A Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Orthotopic Syngeneic Murine Model of Androgen-dependent and Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Published on: March 6, 2018

13.5K

Prostate cancer risk after anti-androgen treatment for priapism

Tabitha Goetz1, Arthur L Burnett

  • 1Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 N. Wolfe St/Marburg 407, Baltimore, MD, 21287-2411, USA.

International Urology and Nephrology
|October 19, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anti-androgen therapy for priapism can mask prostate cancer indicators like elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, delaying diagnosis. This case highlights the risks of anti-androgen side effects impacting cancer detection and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Andrology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Recurrent ischemic priapism management historically relies on anti-androgen therapy due to limited targeted treatment options.
  • Anti-androgen therapy presents potential risks and adverse side effects.
  • The efficacy and safety of anti-androgen therapy for priapism require careful consideration.

Observation:

  • A 69-year-old male patient experienced anti-androgenic side effects including gynecomastia, erectile dysfunction, and decreased libido.
  • Following dosage adjustment and initiation of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor therapy, the patient exhibited elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
  • These findings prompted further investigation into potential underlying conditions.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
  • Pathologic examination revealed high-grade, locally progressive prostate cancer.
  • Anti-androgen therapy potentially masked the elevated PSA levels, delaying cancer diagnosis.

Implications:

  • Anti-androgen therapy for priapism carries significant risks, including masking crucial diagnostic markers for prostate cancer.
  • Clinicians must be aware of potential adverse effects that can impact cancer diagnosis and treatment timelines.
  • This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for secondary conditions during priapism treatment.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy09:49

Isolation of Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction Following Radical Prostatectomy

Published on: December 28, 2021

6.8K
Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility04:22

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility

Published on: May 30, 2025

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
5.2K
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors01:28

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are potent enzymes that function to hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 5' monophosphates. Their unique biochemical properties have been applied in treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH).
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
842
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists01:23

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists

Prostacyclin receptor agonists are a class of therapeutic agents integral to managing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These drugs operate by mimicking the action of prostaglandin I2, or PGI2, a naturally occurring compound in the body.
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
618
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists01:18

Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists

Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoactive peptides critical in the human body's various physiological and pathological processes. One of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) involves counteracting the effects of these endothelins using a class of drugs known as endothelin receptor antagonists.
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
619