Starting proton beam therapy: Is a biospacer helpful?

Hydrogel is like an insurance policy. Do you have to have it? No. Do you want it in case you need it? Probably.

Rectal spacers (SpaceOAR, Barrigel, or BioProtect) add space between the rectum and the area being radiated (in this case, the prostate) in order to reduce the amount of radiation hitting and damaging the rectum. (SpaceOAR adds about 1.3cm of space.) This reduces the risk of radiation-induced hemorrhoidal irritation, mucosal injury, proctitis, and even secondary cancers. SpaceOAR has also been demonstrated to provide improved GU, GI, and sexual benefits.

Dr. Rossi has a lot of information about proton radiation in his portion of this 2023 PCRI conference starting at about timestamp 3:38:45 at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/WTqPnSRYtW4

He talks about rectal spacers at about timestamp 4:49:40.

(I had SpaceOAR Vue injected for my proton radiation treatments.)

If you choose radiation treatment the space oar will protect the rectum. Radiation damage to the epithelial layer of the rectum can cause proctopathy ( called proctitis) in which the rectum bleeds in cycles. It's kind of a tough choice, but usually the implantation is a simple surgical procedure.
Not needed, but helpful.

Had Proton radiation also. I had it done at UFHPTI. At both Mayo Jacksonville and UHFPTI they recommended the Space Oar.

It is to help move the colon away from prostrate to lesson the radiation damage to surrounding organs and tissues. Proton radiation is different than photon in that the radiation ends at the predetermined spot versus photon continuing through and out the body.

My R/Os, and PCP said they most R/Os will do a radiation margins of the prostate. This means radiation damage may occur in tissues and organs outside the prostrate. The R/Os explained this it me and the reason they recommended the Space/Oar to help move colon away from prostrate.

There was also an added step when I had my radiation in 2023 in that I had to drink water prior to my radiation (30 rounds) it that it helps move the bladder away from the prostate. So you can see the reason R/Os (like mine) give for doing it.

My Mayo PCP advised me several studies and research being done to determine the long term benefit of having these type of procedures in reducing radiation damage to surrounding tissues and organs as beneficial enough to justify doing them.

Not sure when that studies will be done but for me any thing I could do to lesson radiation damage I wanted to do. It is why I chose proton radiation versus photon.

Good luck!!