Recent Prostate Cancer diagnosis
Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in mid July . I am 70 years old and I am choosing to go with 5 weeks or radiation therapy . The Urologist told me about the placement of the SpaceOar hydrogel which is injected between the prostate gland and the rectum . It is supposed to reduce radiation to the rectum and reduce side effects . I had this done on August 30th. I am wondering if any other members had a SpaceOar and went through radiation? What side effects should I expect . I am concerned about Erectile Dysfunction. My radiation treatment begins in a week . Thank you !
I had 28 sessions of radiation last year, I also had the SpaceOar inserted prior to the radiation treatment. They will put fiducial markers in at the same time they do the SpaceOar. I would equate the SpaceOar procedure to the prostate biopsy. Actually, I found the biopsy procedure to be more uncomfortable than the SpaceOar. I had almost zero side effects from the radiation. No downtime at all. I was able to exercise , golf and able to carryon with everyday life with almost no side effects. I would say that as far as ED goes, it wasn't a huge issue and still isn't an issue after over a year later. I take viagra as necessary. I can still get an erection without the viagra, but it is better with it. My Radiation Oncologist showed me a study that showed that taking viagra before and during the radiation treatment showed better results with ED than not taking it before
Have your Radiation Oncologist take a look at this study:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022534714003553
I don't know where you are, but if you take viagra and it is too expensive at your local pharmacy, try Costco. The generic viagra was about 90% less at Costco vs chain drug stores.
PM me if you have any other questions, Thank you for your reply and for explaining your experience with Radiation treatment. It’s great that the SpaceOar did reduce side effects for you so I am happy with my decision to have that procedure done. .
Not to get too personal, I have never had any major ED issues but my Oncologist is saying everyone will have problems
I plan to share your survey with him.
My treatment starts on September 25th. And he meets weekly with patients to discuss concerns.
I live in Connecticut and we have Costco in the area. Thanks!I live in MA. The way my radiation oncologist explained it to me is that without the SpaceOar, complications from the radiation are <5%. With the SpaceOar, complications are <1%.
Powerful stats !
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I'm 70 and was diagnosed in mid-August. My PSA rose from 3.7 to 4.6 and the biopsy showed Gleason 3+4 in 2 cores. I chose Active Surveillance for now but am thinking I might just go ahead with radiation treatment as my Urologist and RO both recommended that I get treatment. One thing I did was to have the biopsy results sent to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. Have not received those results yet. If you don't mind me asking, what was your PSA and Gleason score? , my Gleason Score is 3 +4=7 , 2 cores found with cancer , PSA 4.6 . PSA tripled in a year and a half. Enough that the biopsy was recommended.
Urologist said it’s the second lowest stage after active surveillance. Radiation was the recommended treatment. I had the SpaceOar Hydrogel inserted on August 30th . Starting 5 weeks of radiation on September 25th.
, Thanks. We really do have similar circumstances. One thing my biopsy result did not show was the % of 4 cells in the two cores. My understanding is that if it is fairly low, I might still be a candidate for AS. The second opinion should clear that up. Good luck. , yes, we do. And I would rather not get the radiation because of side effects but I think that it is most likely the best course of action for me.
I hope your second opinion gives you further insight to help your decision.
