Can SpaceOAR be used to treat prostate cancer?
Radiation therapy is a treatment option for prostate cancer. Radiation therapy can be very effective in treating prostate cancer. Some providers may suggest the use of SpaceOAR with treatment. The use of SpaceOAR can reduce radiation exposure to the rectum, and potentially reduce side effects from radiation therapy.
How does SpaceOAR reduce radiation exposure to the rectum?
The use of SpaceOAR can reduce radiation exposure to the rectum, and potentially reduce side effects from radiation therapy. What is SpaceOAR? SpaceOAR is a gel-like substance called hydrogel that creates a temporary space between the rectum and the prostate. Creating this space reduces the effects of radiation to the rectum.
Is it worthwhile to treat all patients with SpaceOAR?
Is it worthwhile to treat all patients? The cost of the SpaceOAR hydrogel injection is about $2,500. IMRT patients should not expect any amelioration of bothersome acute rectal symptoms. A cost/value analysis depends upon which toxicity numbers one wants to focus upon.
How effective is spacer therapy for bowel function?
At 36 months after treatment, 2.2 percent of the men in the Spacer group evaluated their bowel function as a big or moderate bother. This compares to 4.4 percent in the Control group — not a statistically significant difference.
What is spaceoar hydrogel?
How SpaceOAR Hydrogel Fits into the Treatment Options. SpaceOAR Hydrogel, a minimally invasive pre-treatment option for men undergoing prostate cancer radiation therapy, is an absorbable gel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and rectum, designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum during prostate cancer radiation ...
Do men need prostate cancer treatment?
Active Surveillance. Because prostate cancer typically has a slow rate of progression, some men may never need treatment for their prostate cancer.
Why do you need a balloon for radiation?
To reduce exposure to radiation, radiation therapy previously involved inserting a balloon between the rectum and prostate to help mitigate exposure to radiation. This balloon typically required regular replacement until the end of treatment.
How much radiation does prostate cancer cause?
Depending on the size of the prostate, which is larger in men with prostate cancer, exposure could affect up to 50 percent of the rectum’s surface , and for cases requiring larger doses of radiation, damage may be severe.
How long before a transrectal ultrasound can you have bowel movement?
Have a bowel movement earlier than two hours prior to the procedure or using a Fleet Enema to remove fecal material from the lower bowels, emptying the bowels and allowing for easier use of the transrectal ultrasound probe. Take pain medication as prescribed by your physician to alleviate pain at the injection site.
What does OAR stand for in prostate cancer?
OAR stands for “organ at risk, ” and SpaceOAR increases the “space” between the “organ at risk”. SERO is proud to offer the SpaceOAR system to minimize side effects of prostate cancer treatment and improve patients’ overall quality of life.
What is SpaceOAR system?
The SpaceOAR system helps protect patients from both short-term and long-term side effects and improves comfort during and after treatment. Unlike previous balloon implants, SpaceOAR is a one-time application, which eliminates the need for repeat visits. The benefits of SpaceOAR can be substantial. Depending on the size ...
How many men will have prostate cancer in 2019?
Approximately 174,600 men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2019 and, unfortunately, more than 31,000 will lose their lives. This reflects an 11 percent risk for all men, but it affects demographics differently. African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer, and 60 percent of cases are diagnosed in men over age 65.
Does SpaceOAR help with prostate cancer?
Those living with prostate cancer can ask for more information about the use of SpaceOAR to reduce their risk and improve quality of life. SERO’s multidisciplinary team is experienced with both prostate cancer treatment and SpaceOAR, as well as other spacers used during radiation therapy.
What is SpaceOAR?
SpaceOAR is a gel-like substance called hydrogel that creates a temporary space between the rectum and the prostate. Creating this space reduces the effects of radiation to the rectum. SpaceOAR stands for “Spacing Organs at Risk.” The hydrogel is made up of two liquids and when combined they form a soft gel that is mostly water.
How do I prepare for the procedure to place the SpaceOAR?
Starting the day before your procedure you will likely be instructed to take an antibiotic; you will continue this for 3 days. On the morning of your procedure, you may eat a light breakfast and continue your normal intake of water. To help reduce gas and stool in your rectum, it is usually recommended that you do an enema at home.
What can I expect with the procedure?
The SpaceOAR rectal spacer placement is done as an outpatient procedure in a hospital, surgery center, or your provider’s office. The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes, but you can expect to be in the clinic for about 60 minutes. In most cases, this procedure is done with local anesthesia (medication is used to numb the area).
Is SpaceOAR right for me?
SpaceOAR is appropriate for many men, but it is not for everyone. It is important to know that SpaceOAR is one of many tools in the toolbox. You and your provider should talk about options for your treatment and make a decision together about the best treatment for you.
How many men are in the control group with a rectal spacer?
It may be an artifact of the low sample size at 36 months — just 46 men in the Control group, and 94 men in the Spacer group.
What happens after 3 months of radiation?
This is the period of maximal deleterious effect of radiation on rectal and urinary quality of life. After 3 months, quality of life typically improves.
Does a spacer make bowel pain worse?
The spacer made bowel pain worse rather than better. Physician-reported grade 2 acute toxicity at 3 months was exactly the same (4 percent) for both the Spacer and the Control group. The spacer had no effect on any but the mildest acute toxicity. Urinary scores were not significantly affected by the spacer.
How long does spaceoar stay in place?
SpaceOAR Hydrogel stays in place for about three months and is naturally absorbed into the body and removed through urine in about 6 months. SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be implanted during an outpatient procedure in a hospital, surgery center, outpatient clinic or doctor’s office prior to the start of radiation treatment.
How is SpaceOAR Hydrogel injected?
SpaceOAR Hydrogel is injected as a liquid through a needle inserted between the rectum and the prostate. It can be implanted via a local anesthetic that will numb the injection area or under general anesthesia that will put a patient to sleep during the procedure. SpaceOAR Hydrogel stays in place for about three months and is naturally absorbed ...
What is SpaceOAR Hydrogel?
The SpaceOAR Hydrogel is composed of biodegradable material and maintains space for the entire course of prostate radiotherapy treatment and is completely absorbed by the patient’s body over time. Read the FDA Clearance Letter.
Can you use spaceoar hydrogel before prostate radiation?
A little space before prostate radiation can make a big difference after. In a clinical study, SpaceOAR Hydrogel was shown to help minimize the impact on urinary, sexual and bowel quality of life for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. 1-3.
Does Spaceoar Hydrogel help with prostate cancer?
With SpaceOAR Hydrogel in place, a doctor can complement the patient’s radiation treatment to better target their cancer while preserving healthy tissue to help maintain quality of life. 1-3.