1. < Prostate Cancer
Profile picture for imbimbo

SpaceOAR causing issues

Posted by imbimbo @imbimbo, Feb 16, 2023

I just spoke with my urologist today and he indicated that the hospital affiliated with his practice is no longer using SpaceOAR. Doctors in various parts of the country have seen complications. I attempted proton therapy last summer at Sibley Hospital and had the spaceOAR inserted. I for whatever reason got a horrible infection two weeks after it was inserted. I presumed it was a bad insertion by the doctor who was affiliated with Sibley (not my urologist here in Pittsburgh). So my advice to others who are not aware of this development, discuss this information with your doctor. My urologist as recently as December, 2022 was a proponent of spaceOAR and now he will not do it.

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

Profile picture for vircet
vircet | @vircet | Aug 26 6:44pm
In reply to @vircet "How are you these days? Did you experience adverse side effects for not having SpaceOAR? I..." + (show)
Profile picture for vircet @vircet

How are you these days? Did you experience adverse side effects for not having SpaceOAR?
I had my SBRT last April 9-21, 2025 and I'm hoping I will not regret my not having SpaceOAR.

Jump to this post

Hello @ssaftler . I was reviewing this long thread on SpaceOAR and noticed that iyou have already answered my question, on April 30: After two years your PSA is behaving itself. However, at that time you mentioned a tumor in your head that was operated on in 2021, was beginning to grow a little in 2025. You were to do a 30-session radiation treatment on the spot to shrink it down. I really hope your latest treatment went well. Best regards,
Vir

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for ssaftler
ssaftler | @ssaftler | Aug 26 8:42pm
In reply to @vircet "Hello @ssaftler . I was reviewing this long thread on SpaceOAR and noticed that iyou have..." + (show)
Profile picture for vircet @vircet

Hello @ssaftler . I was reviewing this long thread on SpaceOAR and noticed that iyou have already answered my question, on April 30: After two years your PSA is behaving itself. However, at that time you mentioned a tumor in your head that was operated on in 2021, was beginning to grow a little in 2025. You were to do a 30-session radiation treatment on the spot to shrink it down. I really hope your latest treatment went well. Best regards,
Vir

Jump to this post

Thanks. I had my 3-month post radiation MRI last week, and both my RO and the Neurosurgeon were pleased with the results. I'll still be getting checked on an annual basis, but MRIs don't bother me a bit. For the past few years, between the head and the Prostate, I was looking to get "frequent scanner miles" for my tests. I think in 2023, I had 4 or 5 MRIs and a CT scan or two in the course of about 5 weeks. The check-in staff knew me by name!

Hope you are doing well with your recovery and are moving on with life as you want to. Personally, I saw the whole Prostate deal as both an expected thing (my father and his brothers all had it) and a small bump in the road. Stay positive and don't panic over the occasional painful days. Remember that, in addition to the invasion of the radiation to your body, we're not as young as we once were!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.