Fiducial markers implant and SpaceOar Gel

Just a little sting when they put in the markers and that's it.

When they put them in before all the treatments, do they insert more gel before each treatment? How dies that work? Does Radiologist tell us about it at our information appointment next week?

That’s good to hear. I’m stepping up to the plate in two weeks, after two delays. Hope it goes as smooth for me.

SpaceOar is a one time injection. It slowly released from the body over a 6 month period. At mayo Rochester for 5 Treatment Proton Beam SBRT there is only the one-time injection. No additional invasive procedures were required... only internal activity is an enema 1 hour prior to each radiation treatment.

Since you have already had a biopsy, the markers implantation and SpaceOAR Injection you have handled all of the invasive procedures. Now just lie very still on the radiation table and wait for "The Beam".

Good luck and be thankful that you were one of the many who go through the invasive procedures with very little discomfort. I too was fortunate in this regard. Some folks choose full anesthesia for marker placement and SpaceOAR... seems unnecessary but everyone experiences pain differently.

Cheers,

I did 39 sessions of IMRT Without space oar. I asked for it but was told there was no one in town to do the procedure. 8 mos after I have a few minor side effects w BM. Hopefully it doesn't get worse.
I now travel to Mayo Phoenix for EXCELLANT Cancer Care . The Space Oar was the first of a number of shortcomings that I experienced in our less than excellant care system in this town.
Good luck to all you guys .

I’m so happy to have been directed to the wonderful Mayo Clinic for my husband’s upcoming prostate treatment, this whole trial is new, but we have trust and faith in the awesome drs and whole care team and up to date techniques and we both will step into this with positive attitudes. We will be back for more help and listen to all who wish to share, after Monday’s visit with our Radiologist/Oncologist. Thank you.
Lee and John

The day after report. Just a little sore where the needle that inserted the markers and gel was inserted. Using a cushion when I sit on my solid oak chairs at the dinner table. Padded office chair is fine. If I didn't know better, I would swear he did not put any gel in as there was no feeling of fullness in the bowel at all. Urine flow great and I have a 120-gram prostate and that worried me for no reason. I spent from 9:30 AM till 4 PM watching the Spring Training practice and game with no problems. Looking forward to the 5 radiation treatments so I can put all this in the rearview mirror.

I was put out for the Spaceoar and gel about a week and half before my radiation started. I brought up the Spaceoar to my RO but she might have brought it up anyway. Good luck.

In the old days, my treatment with proton beam started day after Christmas in 2018, spaceoar was not available. Instead, they inserted a small balloon filled with liquid into rectum before each treatment. There's an organization called the Brotherhood of the Balloon for those of us who went through that experience. Actually, wasn't bad.

Word of caution:
my experience was similar to yours up to this point. I started to have minor urinary restriction approximately one week after SpaceOAR injection. It may have been the SpaceOAR or the marker placements... combination of Biopsy and one or both of these procedures. Bottom line we put our Prostate through a lot of prodding, probing, injections, biopsy snips and finally radiation beam exposures. This can cause inflammation which can restrict your normal urination flow. I was told to try anti-inflammatory, this helped a bit. Some are put on Flo-Max. This relaxes the muscles permitting greater flow. Research shows that these symptoms often disappear spontaneously after 3 months from last radiation treatment. The restriction can actually continue to get worse a week or two after last radiation treatment.

Hopefully you will avoid this issue. Regardless it is a temporary inconvenience... for most.

Best wishes!