Influence of Prostate Cancer on Erectile Dysfunction in Northern Cameroon and Its Management

Due to the lack of hospitals with adequate technical platform on one hand, and high diagnostic costs that cannot be afforded most of the population, the incidence of prostate cancer in Cameroon has increased and has great impact on people’s health. Aim: This work was undertaken with the objective to determine the impact of prostate cancer on erectile dysfunction and how to manage it. Methodology: Sampling of the population was done in a comprehensive and non-probabilistic manner at the Urology Department of Ngaoundere Islamic Hospital, Ngaoundere, Cameroon, between June 2018 and November 2019. Of the 75 patients received, 50 of them participated in this study. Biopsies were taken from these patients to determine and confirm the form and stage of cancer followed by PSA assays. After the diagnosis was revealed, the testosterone assay was carried out in order to evaluate erectile functioning in the patients who equally completed a survey form made available to them in order to get an idea of their health history, the type of treatment followed and their lifestyle. Results: The mean age of the patients was 67 years, with a predominance in the 60-70 age range. 85% of the patients had a Gleason score greater than or equal to 8. Of these patients, 42% had low testosterone levels (< 2.3 ng/mL), resulting to lack of morning erection (66.6%), loss of sexual desire (43.9%), difficulty having a spontaneous erection (88%). On the other hand, erectile dysfunction was revealed in the prostate cancer patients with low testosterone levels, with a history of hypertention (16.6%), diabetes (28.5%) alcohol consumption (44%), tobacco smoking (41%) and having undergone as prostate cancer treatment involving transurethral resection of the prostate (80%) and orchiectomy (20%). Conclusion: The major cause of erectile dysfunction observed in patients suffering from prostate cancer in Northen Cameroon can be attributed to the evolution of the disease, as well as the health history of the patients (diabetes, hypertension).