By C. Eric Wooten, M.D.
Patient survival rates have dramatically improved thanks to recent advancements in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, bowel, urinary and sexual side effects remain a major concern for prostate cancer patients despite advances in radiation therapy and surgical techniques. Hydrogel spacers are a recent development that may reduce the harmful effects of radiation therapy.
Hydrogel spacers are an absorbable gel which temporarily creates a space between the prostate and the rectum. This extra space helps protect the rectum from radiation exposure during treatment. The gel is injected into the patient during an outpatient visit before starting radiation, isn’t usually painful and recovery time is generally immediate. The gel remains in place during radiation treatment and is then naturally absorbed by the body within 6 months.
A recent clinical trial, as reported in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, has shown hydrogel spacers significantly decrease the side effects of radiation therapy. In addition to improving bowel toxicity, sexual and urinary side effects were also improved. With the use of hydrogel spacers, urinary and bowel symptoms have shown to be reduced by 2/3. What’s more, there a ¾ reduction in sexual side effects after three years.
The benefits are not just from creating space between the prostate and rectum, which reduces side effects in itself. This procedure also allows incorporation of MRI planning to better visualize and target the prostate cancer for a more personalized treatment. Combining (hydrogel) spacing and MRI planning with the best radiation delivery techniques available is showing impressive results. This has transformed the way we treat prostate cancer at Carolinas Hospital System. In my opinion, this will be the new standard of radiation therapy in five years. Being able to offer this procedure to patients is exciting and I look forward to helping them.
Dr. Wooten is currently the only physician in the region certified to perform this treatment. Hydrogel spacers can be used for most prostate cancer patients who are candidates for treatment with either surgery or radiation. For more information about services provided by Dr. Wooten and Carolinas Hospital System visit CarolinasHospital.com.