In patients with prostate carcinoma erectile function is preserved best by early diagnosis in the stage of organ-confined carcinoma and by nerve-sparing prostatectomy avoiding potency destroying procedures like radiotherapy and androgen blockade. Material and methods: The patients of our institution were reviewed after early diagnosis using PSA-test (cut off ? 2.5 ng/ml or velocity per year ? 0.75 to 1.0 ng/ml) and after nerve-sparing retropubic prostatectomy using magnification loupes and power headlight. The rates of tumor control, continence and potency were summarised by a new formula of success. Results: The earlier the diagnosis of the carcinoma of the prostate is made and the better the patients are operated upon the better success can be achieved concerning tumor control avoiding potency destroying procedures and so preserving erectile function. Conclusions: Criteria of success in treatment of patients with prostate carcinoma are not only the mortality rate but also the chance of early nerve-sparing prostatectomy avoiding primary or secondary potency destroying therapies like radiotherapy or androgen blockade.

Department of Urology St Nikolaus Stiftshospital Andernach

2. český a mezinárodní andrologický kongres, Štiřín, 3.-5.5.2007