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Proton Therapy: any long term side effects? Any regrets?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Jun 23 7:44am | Replies (79)Comment receiving replies
There are a number of reasons why they might have stopped. From the literature, it’s usually due to operator error:
> The SpaceOAR needle tip must be at the prostate midline during SpaceOAR hydrogel injection to avoid lateral hydrogel formation. In the US Clinical Study incorrect hydrogel placement was observed in 0.7% of subjects.
> The SpaceOAR needle should be inserted under ultrasound guidance to maintain needle tip visibility and prevent rectal wall penetration. In the US Clinical Study inadvertent rectal wall needle penetrations were experienced in 1.4% of subjects.
> SpaceOAR System injection should proceed uninterrupted, without stopping. Stopping during injection may result in device plugging.
But, sometimes due to anatomy:
> The perirectal space may not open during hydrodissection, e.g., scar tissue. If the perirectal space does not open with saline do not inject SpaceOAR.
It’s good that they were cautious.
Replies to "There are a number of reasons why they might have stopped. From the literature, it’s usually..."
We just had a consultation in Loma Linda for my husband, and they said they stopped using the spacer because it causes colon bleeding.
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I agree. I suspect that the perirectal space opening procedure with saline may have been the issue as there were comments being made while I was lying there about getting blood in the syringe as to why he aborted the procedure. From an online search:
"Search Labs | AI Overview
"In the context of the SpaceOAR procedure, opening the perirectal space with saline, also known as hydrodissection, is a crucial step. It involves injecting a small amount of saline into the space between the prostate and the rectum to create a cushion. This allows the physician to visualize the correct location for the subsequent injection of the SpaceOAR hydrogel and confirm that the needle is in the proper position before injecting the gel.
"Regarding blood in the syringe:
"Potential issue: While not explicitly mentioned as a routine occurrence, finding blood in the syringe during the SpaceOAR procedure would be a concern. It could suggest that a blood vessel has been inadvertently punctured during the needle insertion, potentially leading to bleeding.
"Importance of hydrodissection: Hydrodissection with saline is important because it helps to separate the tissue layers and confirm proper needle placement, which can reduce the risk of puncturing a blood vessel or other structures like the rectal wall, bladder, or prostate.
"What to do: If blood is seen in the syringe during the procedure, the physician would likely need to stop the procedure and assess the situation to ensure patient safety.
"Note: It's important to remember that procedures like SpaceOAR, while generally safe, carry some risks, and it's essential for the medical team to be prepared to handle potential complications."