SpaceOAR Hydrogel
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with more than 183,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
St. Mary's Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist Dr. Sanjeev Sharma is the first in West Virginia to be designated a SpaceOAR™ Center of Excellence. This designation signifies a commitment to prostate cancer patients and their option to help protect their quality of life while undergoing radiation therapy.
More than 60,000 American men opt to treat their prostate cancer with radiation every year, while some may choose to have their prostate surgically removed or “watch and wait.” Because of the proximity of the rectum to the prostate, prostate radiation therapy can cause unintended damage to the rectum, which can lead to fecal incontinence issues or other long- lasting side effects.
These side effects can be a barrier for men who might otherwise seek radiation, but there are options available to help reduce some of these risks.
SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is now available for prostate cancer patients being treated at St. Mary's Medical Center. SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an absorbable, injectable gel that helps to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum in men undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer, decreasing the likelihood of side effects.
What is SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel?
SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an absorbable gel that creates a temporary space between the prostate and the rectum, designed to reduce radiation dose to the rectum. It is inserted via a minimally invasive procedure and is naturally absorbed by the body in about six months.
SpaceOAR Hydrogel has been evaluated in clinical studies and has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing potential side effects of radiation therapy to the rectal area.
In a randomized clinical study, men who underwent radiation therapy without SpaceOAR Hydrogel were eight times more likely to experience a decline in bowel, urinary and sexual function when compared to men who underwent radiation therapy with SpaceOAR Hydrogel, at a median follow-up of three years.
How Can I Learn More?
Worrying about the potential side effects of radiation shouldn’t be a reason why men with a prostate cancer diagnosis delay treatment. For more information about SpaceOAR Hydrogel and how it can complement prostate cancer treatment while potentially reducing the risk of side effects, visit SpaceOAR.com or call the St. Mary's Radiation Oncology Department at 304.526.1143.