Medicare paid for my proton radiation treatments in 2021.

SpaceOAR Vue is a modification of the original SpaceOAR Hydrogel; it contains approximately 1% iodine bound to the hydrogel to be more visible under CT scan.

Studies show that SpaceOAR not only reduces rectal radiation dose, but also from late GI and GU toxicities, and provides urinary, bowel, and sexual quality-of-life improvement: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34029607/

@thmssllvn
Was your question out for anyone on group or were you asking someone specifically? I can pass on my experience with your questions.

Can I ask what you mean by proton technique on third party pay? Proton therapy is still radiation therapy. It just uses a type of radiation that does not enter the body full dose and does not exit the body at all like photon does. It can be programmed to stop at a precise location release it's full energy and then stop. Photon radiation cannot do this.

It is why it is used for brain, eye, etc. treatments and children. The basis is to keep the damage to other tissues and organs to a minimum. Secondary cancers can also come from radiation treatments and since children live very long lives past their treatments secondary cancers can be a more significant risk. This comes from my UFHPTI R/O and my same questions on this. I asked the question when I saw so many children at UFHPTI (proton) versus Mayo Jacksonville which at present only has photon radiation.

Space/Oar is long lasting lasting months after treatments end. It slowly dissolves. I don't know if more improvement over balloon separation but sure helps speed up treatment as the time to do the balloon procedure is removed. The drinking of water is also used to move bladder away.

Now what have I learned since my treatments ended. My Mayo PCP says research is underway to see if there is a significant improvement to side affects damage from those who have Space/Oar and drink water prior to treatments versus those who don't.

It is being done to see if the time, stress, and inconvenience of doing these procedures is worth the significant improvement in side affects if they are not done. This comes from my Mayo PCP doing one of his consultations with me.

I am lucky to have a dedicated PCP who is constantly researching and sudying prostate cancer diagnoses, and treatments. He told me when I inquired he said: "so I can accurately provide advise and information to my patients."