As a Center of Excellence, we offer SpaceOAR hydrogel
Houston Metro Urology is pleased to introduce a new procedure to improve the safety of our radiation program for patients treating their prostate cancer. This procedure is called SpaceOAR hydrogel implant.
What is a SpaceOAR Hydrogel implant?
SpaceOAR hydrogel is an option for men who undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer. It acts as a spacer between the rectum and the prostate, reducing the radiation dose exposure to the rectum. It is injected into place prior to the start of radiation treatment.
Patients may be awake or asleep under general anesthesia for the procedure. SpaceOAR hydrogel is minimally invasive, remains stable during radiation therapy, and is gradually absorbed by the body after radiation therapy has been completed.
Clinical trials in Europe and the U.S. have demonstrated that the hydrogel is safe and that the space created significantly reduces the radiation delivered to the rectum. The randomized SpaceOAR hydrogel U.S. Clinical Trial found that patients who received the hydrogel spacer reported significantly less rectal pain during radiotherapy and had significantly less severe long-term rectal complications.
The benefits of SpaceOAR Hydrogel implants
Results from the randomized clinical trial demonstrated the following:
Bowel Health: 66% fewer SpaceOAR hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines in detectable bowel quality of life
Urinary Health: 65% fewer SpaceOAR hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines in detectable urinary quality of life
Sexual Health: SpaceOAR hydrogel patients who had erections sufficient for intercourse at baseline were 78% more likely to retain sexual function at 3 years.
If you were diagnosed with prostate cancer and you are considering primary radiation therapy for your Prostate cancer, please discuss this new procedure with one of HMU’s urologists or radiation oncologists.
