SpaceOAR® is an innovative protective agent that can reduce the side-effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer, which can prevent the development of distressing bowel symptoms.
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SpaceOAR hydrogel spacing treatment for prostate cancer
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What is it for?
Reduce the side-effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer
SpaceOAR hydrogel spacing treatment for prostate cancer consultation at The London Clinic
Due to SpaceOAR requiring expert planning, knowledge and use of our in-house advanced MRI imaging, SpaceOAR is only available as part of a course of radiotherapy at The London Clinic.
Radiotherapy treats prostate cancer with high-energy X-rays. The radiation destroys cancerous cells, but it can also damage healthy cells, causing irritation and ulceration in the part of the bowel behind the prostate.
Patients can suffer pain, bleeding, diarrhoea and incontinence – a condition known as radiation proctitis.
SpaceOAR is a high-tech hydrogel that is injected into the space between the prostate and the rectum.
It is designed to safely increase the space between the gland and the bowel, so that radiation exposure is reduced.
Studies have shown that patients treated with SpaceOAR prior to radiotherapy had less rectal pain, fewer long-term bowel complications and improved quality of life.
FAQs
Most people are discharged from The London Clinic on the same day as the procedure. You should expect to go straight back to normal activities.
Your specialist will see you before discharge and will advise you if you should take particular precautions.
The SpaceOAR hydrogel will stay in place for three months, to protect your rectum during your course of radiotherapy.
After six months, the gel is gradually absorbed by the body. It is then broken down and safely excreted in the urine.
The chemical components of the SpaceOAR hydrogel have been used extensively in surgical treatments elsewhere in the body, including the spine and the eye.
Scientific studies have shown that the material can be used safely in the prevention of radiation damage.
There are risks with any procedure. Our surgeons, together with our experienced anaesthetists and nursing staff work to minimise these and support your safe recovery.
- Bleeding: This is unusual and usually settles with local pressure.
- Pain: Some people find the gel uncomfortable after insertion, however over-the-counter painkillers can help with symptom control.
- Incorrect placement of the gel: This is rare because of the use of ultrasound guidance.
- However, the manufacturers report occasional problems with injection into the bowel, bladder or blood vessels. This can cause pain, inflammation and tissue damage in these areas.
- Bowel symptoms: Occasionally the hydrogel can cause bowel disturbance including constipation and bowel urgency.
Your specialist will insert the spacing gel between the prostate and the rectum as a short, outpatient procedure.
The injection can be done with local, regional or general anaesthetic. Your consultant will advise you about the best approach in your case, always considering your feelings and your general health.
After cleaning the area, your consultant will inject the liquid gel through the perineum between the prostate and the rectum.
The needle is fine and ultrasound scans will be used to ensure the gel is correctly positioned.
Once in place, the gel acts like a cushion, holding the rectum away from the prostate.
This keeps it away from the high-dose radiation area, so that healthy cells are protected from damage.
Even with local anaesthetic the procedure should not be painful. The area will be numbed, so you will only feel the prick of the needle when the local is inserted.
Some people feel a little discomfort afterwards, but most men are able to get straight back to normal activities.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
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World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
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0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.