Space OAR

Protection from side effects of prostate radiation therapy

Many men with early-stage prostate cancer receive radiation therapy. Although effective, radiation therapy can cause painful and life-limiting side effects, including problems with urination, bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction.

SpaceOAR hydrogel, available at Reid Cancer Center, offers men in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio potential relief from these side effects. Injected before treatment begins, the special gel creates space between the prostate and rectum, reducing the radiation dose that reaches the rectum and protecting healthy tissue from damage.

What is SpaceOAR?

SpaceOAR is a water-based gel (hydrogel) containing polyethylene glycol, a material used in many medical implants. Before radiation therapy, your provider injects the gel between your rectum and prostate, which are very close to each other. This gel creates space and temporarily shifts the rectal wall a half inch away from the prostate, reducing radiation exposure to the rectum when you receive treatment.  

The gel stays in place throughout your treatment. Your body gradually absorbs it over time, usually within six months.

The benefits of SpaceOAR

Side effects of radiation therapy are uncomfortable and can limit your ability to do the things you enjoy. Although they’re often temporary, some men experience them for months or years.

By reducing radiation exposure to your rectum and protecting other healthy tissue, SpaceOAR offers the hope of relief. It’s designed to reduce side effects and offer:

• Less rectal pain and bleeding
• Lower risk of erectile dysfunction  
• Maintained urinary function
• Reduced incidence of chronic diarrhea

Research shows men who completed radiation therapy with SpaceOAR were 60% less likely to experience urinary problems than those who didn’t.

What to expect from SpaceOAR  

You can ask your oncology team if you’d benefit from SpaceOAR. If you decide to proceed, the hydrogel will be implanted through an injection before radiation therapy begins.  

You might experience some temporary discomfort at the injection site. Complications are rare but might include:

• Allergic reaction to the gel’s ingredients
• Infection, including abscess
• Injection of air, fluid, or SpaceOAR hydrogel into a blood vessel  
• Injection of SpaceOAR hydrogel into the bladder, prostate, rectal wall, rectum, or urethra
• Needle penetration of the bladder, prostate, rectal wall, rectum, or urethra
• Rectal mucosal damage, ulcers, or tissue death

Your oncologist will talk with you about the potential for complications, but you should be able to return to your daily activities shortly after having SpaceOAR injected.