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:
- Bowel: 66% fewer SpaceOAR® hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines in detectable bowel quality of life (1X the Minimal Important Difference)
- Urinary: 65% fewer SpaceOAR® hydrogel patients experienced clinically significant declines (2X the Minimal Important Difference) in detectable urinary quality of life
- 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.