Informations générales (source: ClinicalTrials.gov)
Correlation Between Seminal Vesicle Size and Duration of Sexual Abstinence (AbsVS)
Observational
Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph (Voir sur ClinicalTrials)
novembre 2021
décembre 2023
29 juin 2024
The seminal vesicles (SV) are glands that open into the prostatic urethra and secrete
seminal fluid, which makes up 50 to 80% of semen. They play an essential role in the male
reproductive function. In adults, the size of a seminal vesicle varies from one
individual to another. On average, it is 5 to 6 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 0.5 cm thick. It
has a close anatomical relationship with Walsh's vascular-nervous pedicle, which extends
the sacro-genital-pubic blades, and is responsible for erection. The reference treatment
for localized prostate cancer can consist of two alternatives: either intensity-modulated
pelvic radiotherapy with treatment of the entire prostate volume and VS, or surgical
removal of the vesiculo-prostatic block in monobloc. It is therefore always extended to
the VS.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now routinely performed for the initial workup of
prostate cancer, with a diagnostic and prognostic role, as invasion of the VS by cancer
is recognized as a poor prognostic factor. Some radiology centers recommend 3 days of
sexual abstinence to allow a proper seminal vesicle study. Various factors, such as serum
testosterone levels, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, smoking, and certain
drugs such as SILODOSINE, have been identified as factors that can independently vary
seminal vesicle size.
The duration of sexual abstinence since the last ejaculation also appears to be
correlated with seminal vesicle volume. Two recent studies found a correlation between
the duration of sexual abstinence and seminal vesicle volume measured on MRI in a young
population (median age 35.9 and 46.45 years). This population is not superimposable to
that of patients managed for prostate cancer whose average age at diagnosis is 70 years.
However, the control and knowledge of the volume of VS, in this specific population,
could have an interest in the treatment of prostate cancer:
- In case of pelvic radiotherapy in order to limit the volume of the organ to be
irradiated, the toxicity induced to the adjacent organs being directly associated to
the delivered dose.
- In case of radical vesiculo-prostatectomy, by surgical way, the lateral dissection
of the vasculo-nerveous bands is made more difficult in case of voluminous seminal
vesicles with an increased risk of nerve damage.
Investigators hypothesize that the volume of the VS is correlated with the duration of
abstinence. Thus, evacuation of seminal fluid by ejaculation at a defined time before
curative treatment of prostate cancer, could improve the functional results of pelvic
radiotherapy or surgery.
Etablissements
| Les établissements d'Île-de-France dont les données sont issues de ClinicalTrials.gov Origine et niveau de fiabilité des données | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GH PARIS SITE SAINT JOSEPH | Constance P MICHEL, MD | Contact (sur clinicalTrials) | |||
Critères
Homme
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patient whose age ≥ 45 years
- French speaking patient
- Patient performing a prostate MRI for suspected prostate cancer
- Patient whose age ≥ 45 years
- French speaking patient
- Patient performing a prostate MRI for suspected prostate cancer
- History of curative treatment for prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy, external
radiotherapy, brachytherapy, HIFU, cryotherapy)
- Patient under guardianship or curatorship
- Patient deprived of liberty
- Patient under court protection
- Patient objecting to the use of his or her data for this research