What are protocols before radiation: rectal spacers, balloons, etc?

@carlsbadguy You are completely correct in your answer. It was how I worded my response that is confusing/wrong. After some thought, this is what I believe my RO was weighing, and I had to do some research before replying. A complication in the procedure of inserting the spacer gel, where a sever life altering complication occurs is about 1-2%. Having radiation without the spacer, where a sever life altering complication occurs is about 1-2%. While the gel has better results for rectum issues, bleeding, diarrhea, they are manageable and not life altering. It was his opinion not to risk a life altering complication from the spacer procedure when compared to the life altering risks associated with not using a spacer from radiation. Hopefully the technology for inserting the gel is getting to be foolproof so that even the manageable inconveniences are not necessary.

@edtrucks thank you for trying to clear that up, although it's still doesn't make sense to me. I start RT Aug 17th, and will be having fiducial markers and SpaceOAR placed Aug 5, not by my RO, but by one of his associates who has done thousands of these procedures. My RO has treated over 14,000 prostate cancer patients, and he believes very strongly in the benefits of a rectal spacer.

I think what he is referring to is that their are complications and even deaths although obviously the deaths rare, but other complications more common even if it is just marked as miss positioning or infections that treated clear quickly. The percentage of rectal biopsy duse effects are rare also bur lead many to seek the perineum biopsy. As I mentioned earlier all procedures have risks and if your Doctor says their are none, you might want to walk out the door
Urology
Volume 188, June 2024, Pages 94-100
Oncology
Major Complications and Adverse Events Related to Use of SpaceOAR Hydrogel for Prostate Cancer Radiotherapy

Also seeCureus. 2024 Apr 17;16(4):e58485. doi: 10.7759/cureus.58485
SpaceOAR Complication Affecting the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

I had Spacer AOR placement before 44 sessions of radiation handled by a urologist and someone who seemed to be a rep from the AOR company who was guiding him. I had no negative reaction to the placement nor any issues since. I was 90 years old at the time.

So it seems from these posted comments, that Mayo Jacksonville offers both Barrigel and Space OAR? Is that a correct assumption? I'd also be interested in everyone's experiences on what other protocols that Mayo Jacksonville may employs before radiation - hormone therapy, rectal balloons, etc?

@nudge, I expanded the title of your discussion to reflect your questions. I'm also tagging fellow members like @ripleymo @topf @smoore4 @tomlokey @dave2020, who I believe had radiation treatment at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. They can share more about rectal spacers, tips and what it's like from their experiences.

When do you start radiation?

@georgemc was the ballon uncomfortable?

@nudge Not at all uncomfortable. I have had NO discomfort from either the spaceOAR or the additional baloon spacer used during each of my 42 proton treatments. I was undergoing ADT with Orgovyx at the same time, and I put the blame for the negative reactions I have had primarily on the Orgovyx side-effects, such as fatigure joint pain, muscle weakenss, incresed urination and weak streem. all of those appear moreclikely to have come from the meds, than the radiation.