Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed in American men, with a majority of cases appearing in males over the age of 65. Early diagnosis is always key to bettering a patient’s odds at beating prostate cancer, and is also an important component when considering what types of treatment may or may not be viable options.

Radiation Therapy for Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

As with many different forms of cancer, medical professionals will typically recommend patients begin treating prostate cancer by completing radiation therapy and possibly also undergoing surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. Once this is complete, patients and their physician will closely monitor the effectiveness of the treatment method chosen, and adjust accordingly.

Common Side Effects from Radiation Therapy

Although radiation therapy and surgery are administered frequently to men with prostate cancer, these options are associated with a number of uncomfortable side effects and potential complications that make the entire treatment process quite painful to endure. One of the most common side effects is damage to the rectum, which of course can cause life-long problems for patients even after they are in remission from prostate cancer.

SpaceOAR® for Rectum Protection

Cancerous tumors of the prostate most often form within the lower region of the organ, which is closely bordered by the rectal wall. This proximity is what often results in significant damage to the rectum as radiation is used to target cancerous tissue nearby. When this damage is inflicted, men may experience some of the following symptoms for up to several years after their radiation therapy treatments:

• Diarrhea
• Rectal bleeding
• Significant pain of the rectal region

The purpose of SpaceOAR® hydrogel is to provide a protective layer between the prostate and rectum before the patient is ever exposed to radiation, which helps to drastically lower a man’s risk of rectal complications after treatment. SpaceOAR® actually stands for Spacing Organs at Risk, and so it is the goal of Dr. Ori Hampel to greatly reduce the risk posed to any nearby organs when they begin a patient’s prostate cancer treatment process.

Additional Details on the SpaceOAR® System

SpaceOAR® is an FDA approved injectable gel that is administered during a brief procedure at our facility in Southeast Houston, TX. Patients will be given specific instructions by Dr. Ori Hampel to complete prior to the procedure, though preparation is quite minimal and mainly involves maintaining a more bland diet in the day or two before the injection to avoid possible complications of the bowels.

A local or general anesthetic will be applied so that patients do not feel any sort of pain or discomfort during their appointment. SpaceOAR® is injected through a fine needle that is gently guided to fit between the prostate and rectum. The entire procedure typically lasts for approximately 30 minutes, after which, patients may be transported home by a designated friend or family member.

Follow Up Care

It is common for individuals to experience mild tenderness of the area in the first 24 hours after their SpaceOAR® injection procedure. All other potential side effects and risks associated with SpaceOAR® are very minimal, though patients should contact board-certified urologist immediately if they notice any strange symptoms.

There is no need for an additional procedure to remove SpaceOAR®. The hydrogel will naturally soften over time, and will eventually liquify after a six month period, at which point all remnants of the hydrogel will be absorbed and then expelled from the body.

Consulting with Dr. Ori Hampel About SpaceOAR®

If you have questions regarding your prostate cancer treatment process and whether SpaceOAR® may be able to help you avoid long-lasting complications afterward, please contact board-certified urologist, Dr. Hampel to set up an appointment with our specialists to learn more about this revolutionary system. Patients may call (713) 477-8600 to reach our office in Pasadena, TX, or may also choose to submit a request online through our secure form.