Hormone and radiation therapy for prostate cancer can result in shrinking of penis, reports research published in the Journal of Urology.
Turkish scientists analyzed patients with 47 prostate cancer who received the treatments. They discovered that the average stretched length of their penises declined from 14,2 to 8,6cm over eighteen months, BBC News informed.
According to the investigators, it’s unclear how hormone and radiation therapy influences the length of the penis, however the treatments may have some influence on penis tissue. They suggested that before receiving the treatment patients should be warned that they may experience penis shortening.
Dr Chris Hiley, head of policy and research at the Prostate Cancer Charity in the United Kingdom, stated that it’s very important for the patients with prostate cancer to be warned about this possible side effect.
"Men can be caused needless worry by surprising changes in their body which can affect their quality of life. These must always be taken seriously," Hiley told BBC News.
"We would advise men not to be put off seeking treatment or advice about prostate cancer due to this, but to make sure they talk to their healthcare providers precisely about all the possible side effects of a particular treatment," Hiley added.
