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Radiation is a form of therapy that uses a highly targeted, high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and destroy cancer cells. It is one of the most common cancer treatments. Radiation may be used alone or in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy to rid the body of cancer cells.

Radiation therapy affects only the part of the body being treated. It works by targeting the cancer cells, destroying them to keep them from growing and dividing. While the normal cells of your body can be affected by radiation, they usually recover and regain normal function.

There are three types of radiation therapy:

  • External beam radiation – with this methodology, a machine directs high-energy rays from outside the body directly to area in which the tumor is located. Some healthy tissue may be affected. In most cases, external radiation therapy is an outpatient procedure, taking place over the course of a number of weeks.

As one example of external beam radiation, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders uses the CyberKnife System® Robotic Radiosurgery as a noninvasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of both cancerous and noncancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney. Though its name may conjure images of scalpels and surgery, the CyberKnife System® treatment involves no cutting. In fact, the CyberKnife System® is the world’s first and only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors throughout the body non-invasively. It provides a pain-free, non-surgical option for patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or who may be looking for an alternative to surgery.

  • Internal radiation – with this methodology, an implant is placed near or in the affected area. Because the implant is in direct proximity to the tumor, its radiation has little effect on the surrounding tissues. As one example, we use MammoSite therapy for breast cancer here at The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders,. MammoSite therapy simply places the radiation source directly into the space left following a tumor’s removal, delivering radiation directly to the area where the cancer is most likely to recur. This is done on an outpatient basis, and is typically a considerably shorter term solution, allowing patients to get back to their normal lives much more quickly.
  • Systemic radiation – with this methodology, radiation is administered orally or intravenously. Of course, that means that the radiation makes its way through the body. The good thing, though, is that the radioactive substance tends to go directly to the tumor, leaving little effect on the rest of the body.

SpaceOAR® Hydrogel

What Is SpaceOAR® Hydrogel?

SpaceOAR® hydrogel is an option for men who undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer. It acts as a spacer providing space between the rectum and the prostate, making it much less likely that the rectum is exposed to radiation. It is injected into place prior to the start of radiation treatment. Patients may be awake or asleep under general anesthesia for the procedure. SpaceOAR®hydrogel is not painful, remains stable during radiation therapy and then is gradually absorbed by the body after radiation therapy has been completed.

Proven Clinical Results

Results from a randomized clinical trial demonstrated that 3 years following radiation treatment, patients who received SpaceOAR®hydrogel prior to their radiation treatment were:

  1. Bowel: 66% fewer SpaceOAR® hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines in detectable bowel quality of life (1X the Minimal Important Difference)
  2. Urinary: 65% fewer SpaceOAR® hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines (2X the Minimal Important Difference) in detectable urinary quality of life
  3. Sexual: SpaceOAR® hydrogel patients who had erections sufficient for intercourse at baseline were 78% more likely to retain sexual function at 3 years

SpaceOAR® hydrogel is cleared by the FDA and more than 20,000 patients worldwide have been successfully treated.
SpaceOAR® is a registered trademark of Augmenix Inc.

How Does SpaceOAR® Hydrogel Work?

SpaceOAR® Hydrogel reduces rectal injury in men receiving prostate cancer radiation therapy (RT) by acting as a spacer – pushing the rectum away from the prostate.

Become a Patient

At The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, our board-certified physicians provide cancer treatment to more than 12,000 patients annually at our locations in Fort Worth – Central Campus, Fort Worth – Southwest, Arlington, Weatherford, Burleson, Granbury, Mineral Wells, and Stephenville. We offer you the latest advances in chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy. We also offer you the opportunity to take advantage of groundbreaking cancer treatment available only through clinical trials and cancer research.

CyberKnife

The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, liver, pancreas and kidney. The treatment – which...

SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders now Offers Innovative SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel to Benefit Patients Undergoing Treatment for Prostate Cancer. SpaceOAR Hydrogel is Clinically Shown to Help Reduce Risk of Side Effects after Radiation Treatment. SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel –...

Hidden Scar Breast Cancer Surgery

Each year, approximately 253,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer that requires surgery. Many women are unaware of all the surgical options available, including less invasive approaches that can help restore their self-image and allow them to begin the emotional...

Nutritional Counseling

Good nutrition is essential for supporting you throughout your cancer treatment. Our registered and licensed dietitians can work with you to help lessen some of the side effects you may experience, which will not only help to ensure you are getting good nutrition, but...

Integrative Medicine

The Center TX also offers integrative medicine for our cancer patients under the direction of Dr. Oseni. Integrative medicine seeks to restore and maintain the health and wellness of cancer patients by understanding the patient’s unique set of circumstances and...

Complementary / Integrative Services

These services are for established patients. All support services are by appointment. Ancillary techniques and ancillary tests are those that assist in the diagnosis and/or treatment and are not necessarily a part of the original diagnosis and/or...

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer-fighting methodology that uses either stand-alone drugs or a combination of drugs to relieve pain symptoms, control the growth of cancer cells and, ideally, eliminate cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone or in conjunction with surgery...

Clinical Trials

The physicians and staff at The Center firmly believe that giving our patients the opportunity to access the latest innovative and cutting edge therapies on cancer clinical trials represents the highest level of care that we can offer our patients. Our practice is...

Diagnostic Imaging

The earlier a cancer is detected, the better the chances of treating it. Because diagnostic imaging produces pictures of what’s going on inside the body, it’s a vital tool that can not only detect certain cancers like breast or lung cancer, it can be utilized as the...

Pharmacy

The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders offers an onsite medically integrated pharmacy. Our certified pharmacist is here to answer any questions and provide easy access to the medication you need.  The pharmacy is open during business hours and provides a quick...

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