jimcinak. I agree that this is interesting, so I'll describe what I know. At UCLA last summer, I was set up for "hydrogel" placement a week or two before the scheduled radiation treatment. "SpaceOar" was not mentioned, but I note that SpaceOar's web site says it is hydrogel. What was described for me was "hydrogel" placement, but I don't think it was SpaceOar. They said the hydrogel was temporary and would dissipate and disappear within 6 months. I experienced no discomfort from the gel, or any sensation it was there.

For the placement, I declined anesthesia or drugs since I was fascinated as to the mechanics of getting a solid into my body non-invasively. Be careful what you wish for. I find out it involves inserting a large needle in the small space between my scrotum and anus....Yikes. How do you do stick a needle there without damaging prostate, rectum, etc.? Quite an "Ah Hah" moment. Turns out the device was just like something you would get at Home Depot for applying a two part epoxy, i.e. a twin tube plunger device where the two parts combine just as just at the injection point, just below my scrotum (I believe); she had to move the family jewels around a few times. Boy, the small needle numbing in three places by a pretty young physician in preparation for the large needle was a humbling and uncomfortable experience (in more ways than one). But the numbing was effective so no white knuckles when she turned to the big guy. Big needle guidance was by ultrasound I think. How did it feel? After the discomfort of the numbing, in places even my wife has not gone, the subsequent sensation was some pressure an a lot of heat. The heat hurt for about 10 minutes. Clearly, this was the heat of the gel formation from the two components. She had not warned me about that. They then left me alone for about a half hour.

So, was it necessary or effective? I was shown the before and after imaging a few days later. My very large prostate was pressed tight against the prostate. Effective radiation of the prostate could not have been able to avoid rectal damage. The hydrogel now separated the two by maybe an inch. Awesome. Thank you for medical progress. Clinically, I have not experience any side effects from the radiation, so I thank the skill of the doctors. Perhaps the skill of the doctor doing the placement is a factor in what patient's experience? However, I do hope she doesn't spend all her time working one foot or less from a male anus.