SpaceOar

Hi Coltrane,

Thanks for your post. I hope you don't mind me jumping in but I just edited out the mention of the social media site, as I am pleased to say there is some reliable information on SpaceOar on the NHS' very own website.

See what you think about this article from 2019 via the link below, and feel free to carry on the discussion here!

• NHS funds tech to protect prostate cancer patients during radiation treatment | England.NHS.uk

Hi Coltrane,

My partner had a SpaceOar before RT last year. As you probably know it's a protective gel that can protect the rectum from damage. It seemed to work fine for him as he has IBS and it was no worse after.  You do need to find a specialist to inject the gel as it's not a common procedure. I've added a link to the Genesis private health, you can pay for the procedure if you are unable to get it NHS or private heath care should cover it. 

https://www.genesiscare.com/uk/treatment/radiotherapy/spacers-for-prostate-cancer-radiotherapy

Hi Coltrane , I would like to add that radiotherapy (accuracy and dose modulation) has improved so much since SpaceOar was introduced. Therefore, the need for extra protection is diminished in many cases.  There is also a school of thought that if you have any micromets in the pelvic area, it could “mask” them from the full dose of radiotherapy.  That said, it is recommended for patients with other medical issues in the area (such as IBS mentioned by Barry W) could benefit from SpaceOar, as rectal side effects could be much worse without it. AW

Thanks - the article is 5 years old. No - one had mentioned this to me (I’m due to have RT in May) but its mentioned a lot on USA dominated Facebook groups. Is it commonly used here (I’m in North Wales, or is it considered unnecessary? 

Hi Coltrane 

It's Megan here who works alongside Matthew as part of  Macmillan's Online Community team.

With you having clinical questions, I'd encourage you to speak with the Nurses here at Macmillan. They are trained clinical professionals who can talk through your questions and concerns alongside providing trusted cancer information. 

To get in touch you can post a question in our Ask a Nurse section. There is also the option to contact them on the Macmillan Support Line by calling 0808 808 00 00, sending an email or using live webchat between the hours of 8am and 8pm 7 days a week. 

I hope this information helps you find the information and guidance you are looking for and if you need any help using the Online Community, please do email community@macmillan.org.uk or send a private message to the Moderator account.

Hi Coltrane, we looked into this gel before my husband had RT at the beginning of Feb 2023. What we found was:

1. NICE have not approved it for use and it is only available on the NHS if it is part of a trial

2. it is available privately and the cost then was £4-5000 ( we heard last week that the cost has rise to £7000 locally)

3. Then, it was administered under a general anaesthetic but heard last week that it might be possible to do under local anaesthetic

4 I only know one person who had it. He had no bowel problems but did have urine problems ( retention)

my husband did not have it and had no bowel problems. I wanted him to have it but it was his body, his decision.

hope this helps

Thanks for pointing that out, Megan.  I normally add a disclaimer on any advice or comments I make, which is offered to help men frame their questions to their consultants.  AW

Hi Coltrane - please see Megan’s excellent advice for your own particular case.  If your consultant is not forthcoming with any reasoning behind his or her decision, then please feel free to use my comments to frame your request for further explanation.  AW

Hi Coltrane,

I asked about this this last year as I was originally due to have SABR  (the 5 treatment RT), but  having reviewed the planning scans they found that my bowel lay too close for them to proceed with SABR as there was a high risk of the bowel being perforated by the higher dosage.

Whilst the NHS had trialled it a few years ago, NICE decided that there wasn't sufficient evidence to make it a standard part of the treatment, so the only way to get it is to pay privately (or possibly via private healthcare if you have it).

I didn't actually do any further research into it & had the standard 20 fraction treatment.

All the best,

Brian