The Current Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating Malignant Priapism: A Comprehensive Review

Urol Res Pract. 2023 Nov;49(6):360-364. doi: 10.5152/tud.2023.23088.

Abstract

Malignant priapism (MP) is defined as a condition of persistent erection of the penis without sexual stimulation due to the neoplastic process of the cavernous sinus and the efferent veins. The effectiveness of established therapeutic recommendations in priapism was ineffective in MP. Modalities of therapy for MP varied from medication treatment, nonsurgical treatment, surgical treatment, and radiotherapy. Despite aggressive surgical management combined with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy, the survival rate remains low. Therefore, the treatment is usually palliative, focusing on the patient's quality of life improvement and symptom relief.