What is SpaceOAR Hydrogel?
SpaceOAR Hydrogel is an injectable medication that is designed to separate organs to increase safety during radiation treatment. It stands for “Space Organ At Risk”, since its purpose is to move the rectum away from the prostate to reduce scattered radiation during therapy for prostate cancer. SpaceOAR can be placed in the office or the operating room and has been shown to decrease rectal complications of radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Why might I need SpaceOAR Hydrogel?
Your radiation oncologist will discuss with you what types of radiotherapy are available for treatment of your prostate cancer. Any patient who receives radiation will have some radiation scatter into the parts of your body near the target organ. For the prostate this means the bladder, rectum, muscles, and bones. SpaceOAR physically moves the rectum away from the prostate to allow more precise delivery of your radiation therapy.
Preparing for your SpaceOAR Hydrogel Injection:
In general, preparation for a SpaceOAR Hydrogel Injection may involve the following steps:
- Bloodwork and other testing done at the hospital
- The hospital will call you to confirm arrival time and instructions
- You will be asked if you have allergies to medications, anesthesia, or latex.
- You should inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you are taking.
- You should refrain from taking anti-inflammatories or blood-thinning medications a week prior to the procedure. Any blood thinning medications will be discussed with you and your doctors
- You may be asked to refrain from eating 8 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time and drinking 2 hours prior to your arrival time.
- You should remove all metal objects and accessories such as eyeglasses, jewelry, watch, etc. as they can interfere with the imaging technique used.
- You should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
What happens during placement of SpaceOAR Hydrogel?
When you arrive at the hospital your anesthesiologist will discuss how they will keep you comfortable during your procedure. This procedure is usually performed under sedation, but some men may be more comfortable with general anesthesia.
During the procedure your surgeon will insert an ultrasound probe into your rectum, similar to your initial prostate biopsy, and numb the area in front of your anus. They will then insert a needle into the space between your rectum and your prostate and use a small amount of saline to open the space. The hydrogel will be slowly injected to fill the space.
Most men will also have fiducial markers placed at the time of SpaceOAR. These markers are small metal cylinders, about the size of a grain of rice, that help to target radiation to the prostate.
After your procedure you will wake up and return home.
Post-Operative Instructions
Activity
Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for two days after your procedure. Don’t have sex for one week after your procedure.
Diet
You can have a normal diet after your procedure.
Bathing
You can bath normally after your procedure.
What can I expect after my SpaceOAR Hydrogel Injection?
Most men will feel relatively normal after the procedure. You may have some soreness with urination, blood in your urine, or discomfort and/or blood with bowel movements. You will usually start your radiation therapy one week after the procedure.
What are the risk of SpaceOAR Hydrogel Injection?
A small amount of bleeding is normal, but larger blood clots, called a hematoma, can rarely occur. Migration of the hydrogel, causing decreased effectiveness, can occur. Infection is rare.
Injury to the rectum is very rare.