1. < Prostate Cancer

How long can SpaceOAR last?

Posted by mario326 @mario326, Sep 20 9:25pm

Earlier this week I had a SpaceOAR injection in preparation for LDR brachytherapy in early October. The plan is then to wait 4 or 5 weeks before starting 5 weeks of IMRT. My R/O said I could wait longer for the IMRT if I wanted - even up to a couple of months more.

I’m worried that I’m under a deadline with the effective duration of the SpaceOAR but he seemed less worried than me about that. The SpaceOAR website lists 3 months for the effectiveness. Is that a hard and fast rule?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Sep 21 7:29am

I had SpaceOAR implanted five months ago and it's still there. Whether it's still EFFECTIVE or not I can't say. As you pointed out, the SpaceOar web site states it's effective for three months but it also says it's absorbed after six months. Wish I could be more helpful but, for me anyway, it's still there after five months, I really feel it when riding my bike even with padded underwear and padded biking shorts.

REPLY
1 reply
mario326 | @mario326 | Sep 21 9:41am
In reply to @scottbeammeup "I had SpaceOAR implanted five months ago and it's still there. Whether it's still EFFECTIVE or..." + (show)
@scottbeammeup

I had SpaceOAR implanted five months ago and it's still there. Whether it's still EFFECTIVE or not I can't say. As you pointed out, the SpaceOar web site states it's effective for three months but it also says it's absorbed after six months. Wish I could be more helpful but, for me anyway, it's still there after five months, I really feel it when riding my bike even with padded underwear and padded biking shorts.

Jump to this post

Well, that would be consistent with my R/O's lack of urgency. Thanks for the reply.

REPLY
brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | Sep 22 8:19am

I attended a webinar in 2022 listening to a speaker from Boston Scientific. He showed this (attached) 2T-MRI image of SpaceOAR - before injection, at 3 months after injection - and 6 months later after it had liquified and is absorbed.

(I started my proton radiation treatments 18 days after the SpaceOAR Vue was injected.)
REPLY
1 reply
markpollak | @markpollak | Sep 22 1:01pm
In reply to @brianjarvis "I attended a webinar in 2022 listening to a speaker from Boston Scientific. He showed this..." + (show)
@brianjarvis

I attended a webinar in 2022 listening to a speaker from Boston Scientific. He showed this (attached) 2T-MRI image of SpaceOAR - before injection, at 3 months after injection - and 6 months later after it had liquified and is absorbed.

(I started my proton radiation treatments 18 days after the SpaceOAR Vue was injected.)

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing the graphic. I’m having my SpaceOAR implanted in 5 days and will start external beam radiation 18 days after but was wondering about how long it would’ve around.

REPLY
mario326 | @mario326 | Sep 22 2:02pm

Thanks everyone. Based on all this I'm going to do the IMRT sooner rather than later.

REPLY
retiredboomer71 | @retiredboomer71 | Sep 23 10:33am

Is your poop smaller diameter? Mine was smaller for months after SpacerOar. Normalized after 4-6 months.

It's an issue if you have hard stool and get constipated. Easily prevented with proper diet & hydration -- and I also regularly use a stool softener (Metamucil).

REPLY
1 reply
mario326 | @mario326 | Sep 23 10:40am

I haven't noticed that but I guess that's as good a measure as any as to how long the SpaceOAR is effective.

REPLY
scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Sep 23 11:20am
In reply to @retiredboomer71 "Is your poop smaller diameter? Mine was smaller for months after SpacerOar. Normalized after 4-6 months...." + (show)
@retiredboomer71

Is your poop smaller diameter? Mine was smaller for months after SpacerOar. Normalized after 4-6 months.

It's an issue if you have hard stool and get constipated. Easily prevented with proper diet & hydration -- and I also regularly use a stool softener (Metamucil).

Jump to this post

Yes! I just assumed that was a side effect of radiation and never even thought about the SpaceOAR. Good to know that eventually it will no longer look like it came from the Play Doh Fun Factory.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.