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Prostate cancer treatment options*

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Active surveillance

Because prostate cancer typically has a slow rate of progression, some men may never need treatment for their prostate cancer. Instead, their doctors may monitor it closely with regular tests and exams to determine if future treatment is needed.1

Icon of scalpel.

Surgery

The main type of surgery for prostate cancer is a radical prostatectomy, where the surgeon removes the entire prostate gland and some surrounding tissue, including the seminal vesicles.2

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Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy to destroy cancer cells and can be delivered in two ways: external beam radiation or brachytherapy (internal radiation).3

Know your options

Watch the video to learn about the most common prostate cancer treatment options and the potential benefits and risks of each.

How SpaceOAR Hydrogel fits into the treatment options

SpaceOAR Hydrogel, a minimally invasive pre-treatment option for men undergoing prostate cancer radiation therapy, is an absorbable gel that temporarily creates space between the prostate and rectum, designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum during prostate cancer radiation therapy. The reduction in radiation exposure lowers a patient’s chance of developing late rectal complications, helping them maintain their quality of life.4

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is made up of two liquids that are mostly water and PEG, a material that is commonly used in other medical implants in the eye, brain, and spine. SpaceOAR Hydrogel is biocompatible, biodegradable, and naturally excreted through urine in approximately 6 months.

*Other treatment options include chemotherapy, vaccine treatment, cryotherapy, and hormone therapy.
Middle-aged couple consulting with a physician.

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References

  1. Observation or Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/treating/watchful-waiting.html. Accessed December 6, 2023.
  2. Surgery for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/treating/surgery.html. Accessed December 6, 2023.
  3. Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/treating/radiation-therapy.html. Accessed December 6, 2023.
  4. Hamstra DA, Mariados N, Sylvester J, et al. Continued benefit to rectal separation for prostate radiation therapy: Final results of a phase III trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2017 Apr 1;97(5):976–85.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

CAUTION: The law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician. Indications, contraindications, warnings, and instructions for use can be found in the product labelling supplied with each device or at www.IFU-BSCI.com. Products shown for INFORMATION purposes only and may not be approved or for sale in certain countries. This material not intended for use in France.

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is intended to temporarily move the rectal wall away from the prostate during the course of radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer, and in creating this space it is the intent of SpaceOAR Hydrogel to reduce the radiation dose affecting the rectum. 

SpaceOAR Hydrogel contains polyethylene glycol (PEG). As with any medical treatment, there are some risks involved with the use of SpaceOAR Hydrogel. Potential complications associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel include, but are not limited to: pain associated with injection, pain or discomfort from the  hydrogel, site inflammation, infection (including abscess), inability to urinate, urgent need to urinate, constipation, rectal muscle spasm, damage to lining of rectum, ulcers, fistula (a hole between rectum and bladder, urethra, or skin below the scrotum), perforation (hole in prostate, bladder, urethra, rectum), necrosis (dead tissue), allergic reaction (local reaction or more severe reaction, such as anaphylaxis), embolism (blood vessel blockage is possible and may happen outside of the pelvis, potentially impacting vital organs or legs), fainting, and bleeding. Please talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits related to using SpaceOAR Hydrogel. If one or more of these complications occur, you may need medical treatment or surgery.

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