MEMPHIS, Tenn. (PRWEB)
October 22, 2020

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with more than 183,000 new cases diagnosed each year. More than 60,000 American men opt to treat their prostate cancer with radiation every year, but because of the proximity of the rectum to the prostate, radiation treatment can cause unintended damage to the rectum, leading some men to either surgically remove their prostate or “watch and wait.”

Like the top 20 cancer centers in the U.S., West now incorporates the use of SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel during radiation treatment for prostate cancer to combat unintended damage to the rectum. Dr. Holger Gieschen at West Cancer Center was the 1st Radiation Oncologist in the Mid-South to recognize the tremendous patient benefit and use this technology. SpaceOAR 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.

This product has been heavily 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.

Worrying about the potential side effects of radiation shouldn’t be a reason why men with a prostate cancer diagnosis delay treatment. At West Cancer Center & Research Institute, we are committed to providing the latest treatment options and preserving the highest quality of life for all our patients.

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