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Has Anybody had BioProtect Balloon as an Alternative to spacing gels?
I read an article in Urology times about BioProtect balloon as an alternative to other gels, spaceoar and biogel, used to separate the rectum from the prostate. It said they had done a trial comparing it to spaceoar and found that it provided significantly more separation between the rectum and the prostate. As such, more healthy tissue was protected, the saline filled balloon, sat more evenly within the space and the dosimetrist could calculate dosage a little more effectively. It was approved by the FDA in October 2023, so it is obviously fairly new but evidently a number of doctors have used it. I have included a link to the video I watched talking about it:
https://www.urologytimes.com/view/balloon-spacers-in-prostate-cancer
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I found the video cited above to be interesting, but it is the view of the doctor. The BioProtect balloon has been in use a bit over two years, but I have been largely unable to find any patient description of the experience. Has anyone seen a posting here, or elsewhere, in which a PATIENT has commented on actual personal experience with use of the BioProtect balloon?
Dr. Shawn Zimberg was principal investigator for the original SpaceOAR trial as well as the BioProtect trial. He has done 3000 placements of gel spacers, i.e. SpaceOAR and Barrigel, and since its FDA approval, 600 placements of BioProtect. He trains clinicians in the use of BioProtect, and is a consultant for BioProtect.
I can't find a direct link to the video I've seen where he discusses the BioProtect, but it is one of the video presentations that are accessible on the webpage for the 2024 Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium, near the bottom of the page:
https://grandroundsinurology.com/scottsdale-prostate-cancer-symposium-2024/
His presentation is entitled: "Biodegradable Rectal Balloon Spacing"
I like the idea of something that can create a bigger space, that promises to be less dangerous to install, that can be adjusted if it isn't placed just the way the RO wants it, that looks like it has a less steep learning curve so docs can get into using it more confidently.
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3 Reactions@georgemc Here's an article about a study that emphasizes that the favorable patient outcomes it presents were reported by patients. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/bioprotect-balloon-spacer-shows-sustained-quality-of-life-benefits-in-long-term-study
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1 Reaction@climateguy
This was the clearest, most concise discussion I have seen to explain BioProtect, and to explore itw benefit when compared to SpaceOar and Barrigel. Thank you much for bringing it to our attention.
Thank you much for the link to the article. It was very informative, and reinforced my inclination to go with proton therapy. Between this article and the Dr. Zimberg presentation at the 2024 Southwest Prostate Cancer Symposium entitled: "Biodegradable Rectal Balloon Spacing" (https://grandroundsinurology.com/scottsdale-prostate-cancer-symposium-2024/) I find myself convinced.
I get my Bioprotect installed today. Good timing for this topic. Thanks!