Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with prostate cancer? You are not alone.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in American men, and around one in nine men will undergo treatment for prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with the disease do not die from it. Because of ongoing advancements in treatment options—like the Space OAR hydrogel procedure—the outlook is good for most men facing a prostate cancer diagnosis.
What happens after prostate cancer diagnosis
After receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis, you will meet with your urology care team to discuss next steps and outline a treatment plan that is personalized for you. There are several different methods of treatment, including the Space OAR procedure. Finding out what treatment option is best for you will begin you on your journey to healing.
How the Space OAR hydrogel reduces radiation therapy’s side effects
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your oncologist may recommend radiation therapy as part of your treatment plan. While radiation therapy is extremely effective in targeting and treating prostate cancer, it does carry side effects that can have a negative impact on your quality of life.
The goal of radiation therapy in treating prostate cancer is to maximize the radiation dose enough to the prostate to kill the cancer cells without delivering radiation to surrounding normal tissue that can damage it.
Rectal injuries sometimes occur during radiation therapy because of the proximity of the rectum to the prostate.
Minimize side effects with the Space OAR hydrogel
Space OAR hydrogel is an absorbable hydrogel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and the rectum, protecting the rectum from radiation exposure during prostate radiation therapy.
“OAR” stands for “organ-at-risk,” and—when undergoing radiation therapy for your prostate—the organ-at-risk is your rectum.
How Space OAR hydrogel protects you
Acting as a spacer, the Space OAR hydrogel pushes your rectum a half-inch away from your prostate, which is just enough space that potential damage to your rectum is reduced or even eliminated.
With Space OAR hydrogel in place, your doctor can enhance your radiation treatment to better target your cancer while preserving healthy tissue to help ensure that you can maintain normal rectal and urinary functions.
How is the Space OAR hydrogel put into your body? The hydrogel spacer is injected during a minimally-invasive procedure, and—once it is in place—patients typically can’t feel it.
What is the Space OAR hydrogel made of? Is the Space OAR hydrogel safe? The Space OAR hydrogel is not harmful and can be safely used in your body without causing an injury or reaction. It is similar to other products used in brain surgery, cardiology, and ophthalmology.
The Space OAR hydrogel remains in place for three months during your radiation treatment, and it is then absorbed and leaves the body in your urine, leaving behind no trace of its presence.
Logansport Memorial Hospital’s state-of-the-art Cancer Center is proud to offer the innovative Space OAR hydrogel procedure as an option for patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment to help minimize potential damage to the rectum and other potential negative side effects.
Talk with your doctor and cancer care team to discover if the Space OAR hydrogel procedure might help you during your prostate cancer treatment. They will walk you through all of your options and help you best determine if this procedure is right for you.
Meet Don Lombardi
When local veteran Don found out he had prostate cancer, he could have gone to the VA for help, but he chose to stay close to home and trust the cancer care experts at Logansport Memorial Hospital for his comprehensive, cutting-edge treatment. In fact, Don was the first patient to use the Space OAR hydrogel as part of his 44 days of radiation treatment.
“I would choose Logansport Memorial again and again. That’s how much I believe in the cancer care in Logansport, Indiana.”
Don fought prostate cancer and won—all without missing a single day of work!—thanks to the team dedicated to building better health at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Stephen Beck 
When you are suffering from kidney stones, prostate cancer, or other related issues, look no further than Logansport Memorial Hospital for urology care.
Our board-certified urologist Dr. Beck can help with a wide variety of issues related to the bladder and kidneys.
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