The journal of sexual medicine
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Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men. Patient adjustment to prostate cancer is not limited to attempts to restore sexual function, a process that can pose significant challenges to couples following most surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Patients often struggle with depression and other relational stressors. Partners also undergo psychosocial, relational, sexual, and quality-of-life changes and their responses to these changes may relate to patient adjustment. ⋯ Partners often serve as primary caregivers, thus partner adjustment can be critical to the health of the patient and to his primary relationship. Results suggest the importance of including partners' adjustment in assessing patient adjustment post-treatment. We suggest that physicians working with these patients partner with mental health professionals who can help couples address the challenges they encounter and extend the continuity of care when the need for medical intervention has passed.