I'm interested in conversations about and I want to talk about
Know exactly what you want?
Show search

Notification

Error

Spacer gel (SpaceOAR)

Email this conversation Print this conversation
User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 10:26

Hi everyone.

I am Ross, and as a 62 YO, I have been diagnosed with PC. I have chosen to go down the Radiotherapy route, and my Oncologist has agreed to support me having this performed using the SABR/SBRT 5 session method in another hospital in Kent. I am happy to travel to facilitate this. 

My question to you all, I was told by the Oncologist, if I wanted to insert a rectum spacer such as SpaceOAR, then this will have to be performed privately at a cost of £6500. I am not on medical insurance, but can probably find this somewhere. So, what experience have people had with this gel and is £6500 a good price, or is there somewhere reputable that does this a little cheaper?

Thank you all, in advance.

Take care of yourselves,

Ross

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 22:31

I was interested but my oncologist advised against it. There are advantages and disadvantages to using it. In some situations it can give protection but RT is now much more precise than it was in the past, so with good guidance they can usually avoid collateral damage. Other disadvantages are that because of shielding it can make some angles of RT attack on the cancer impossible and that it can sometimes move.

I had gold seeds and tatts before getting 81gy in 45 fractions over 66 days with no problems during or after. That was back in 2020. G9 T3bN1MO.

Jules

Edited by member 04 Jun 2024 at 22:42  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 04 Aug 2024 at 12:39

Cycleman

The SpaceOAR must be done before the RT planning scan. This is to ensure accurate RT planning.

Hope you get it sorted.

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 11:41

Hi Ross

SpaceOAR gel insert is definately available on the NHS. I know because I had one fitted 9 weeks ago. So I'm not sure what the criteria is for Oncologist approval of this procedure. Mine just told me I'm having it.

The procedure itself is very similar to having a Biopsy: legs up in stirrups, local anesthetic, needle goes through the perinium, gel then injected between the prostate and rectum. No significant pain or discomfort. In the room for less than an hour. 

The idea is to put a physical barrier between the prostate and the rectum so that the rectum has (some) protection during radiotherapy. The gel dissolves over a period of several months.

Two weeks into radiotherapy I developed mild diarrhea, but not too bad really. Who knows just how bad it would have been without the spaceOAR insert, there are some horror stories here.

I hope you get what you want, and from experience I can recommend Stokes Centre for Urology Guildford if you decide to go down the spaceOAR private route, although I've no idea what they charge privately.

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 11:51

Hey Goose,

Thank you for the reply. It is great to talk to someone who is proceeding down a very similar track. Can I ask, did you also get the 5 treatments (SABR) approach? And did you have the 3 little gold inserts? If our Oncologist is not willing/able to fund on the NHS, then I will definitely pay, because I gather every extra mm protection is worthwhile.

 

Cheers Ross

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 12:02

Hi Ross

No, I had 23 fractions over 5 weeks. I didn't have the gold inserts because I'm having LDR Brachytherapy (tomorrow actually), so I just had the 3 tiny tattoos.

If it was me, I would ask the Oncologist why he isn't willing for the NHS to fund it ? There may be a clinical reason in your case (although I doubt it).

Of course I will never know how bad my bowels would have been without the spaceOAR, but for sure it would have been a lot worse than what I experienced.

Everyone is different, but there is one guy here, Spongebod, that went through hell after RT https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30295-EBRT-is-over---Someone-please-inform-my-bowels

Would I pay privately for it ? Yes, but only after one hell of a fight with the NHS.

User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 12:05
Thanks mate, and good luck for tomorrow.
User
Posted 04 Jun 2024 at 22:31

I was interested but my oncologist advised against it. There are advantages and disadvantages to using it. In some situations it can give protection but RT is now much more precise than it was in the past, so with good guidance they can usually avoid collateral damage. Other disadvantages are that because of shielding it can make some angles of RT attack on the cancer impossible and that it can sometimes move.

I had gold seeds and tatts before getting 81gy in 45 fractions over 66 days with no problems during or after. That was back in 2020. G9 T3bN1MO.

Jules

Edited by member 04 Jun 2024 at 22:42  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 05 Jun 2024 at 08:07

Hi Jules

We know that RT is well tolerated by the vast majority, with little to no side effects. But for a few, the side effects can be horrendous. Problem is, we don’t know which camp we’re in until we come out the other side. I was glad I had it.

Regarding the spacer shielding radiation, I suppose it depends where the cancer is. But the insert is done before the CT planning scan, so the oncologist will have a clear picture of where to direct the radiation, taking into account the spacer.

User
Posted 03 Aug 2024 at 09:13

Hi Ross

Did you go ahead with the spacer? If you did have you had RT yet and all ok?

Any luck getting the NHS to pay for it?

I have my planning scan etc in 5 days time and I am exploring the cost and whether to have this done.

Thanks.

Edited by member 03 Aug 2024 at 09:18  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 04 Aug 2024 at 12:39

Cycleman

The SpaceOAR must be done before the RT planning scan. This is to ensure accurate RT planning.

Hope you get it sorted.

User
Posted 05 Aug 2024 at 19:59

So, I have my final consultation tomorrow afternoon, and depending on the Uroflowmetry results, I am good to go for 5 SABR sessions. I will have the 3 gold markers inserted on the NHS, but the SpaceOAR will be private, as the NHS in this region will only pay for it in cases where people are on Anticoagulants. So, yes, £6500 down, but I am willing to do whatever I can to provide as safe a solution as possible. Very hopeful for treatment through late August or September. Fingers crossed.

 

User
Posted 06 Aug 2024 at 09:37

I don't get why there are so many inconsistencies across the NHS. I wasn't offered the option of a Spacer, but asked about it after one of the surgeons I spoke to mentioned them.

I asked the oncologist about getting one, I wasn't refused and she said she'd put a request in for me, so not a definite yes either!

User
Posted 09 Aug 2024 at 11:27
I paid around £10k pounds to have a SpaceOar done privately in Hong Kong back in 2021. I also had 5 x 1 hour of MRI guided SBRT. My oncologist told me that it would reduce any chance of a damaged Colon from 5-8% down to zero. Having read about some horror stories, I decided I didn’t want to take that chance. I recall having some mild diarrhoea at the beginning but all good since. Have just had my last ADT shot, so keeping fingers and toes crossed for my PET scan at the end of this year…
 
Forum Jump  
Email this conversation Print this conversation

Join the online community now.

Click through to become a member and gain access to support, information and real time replies.




MenuTop ▲
©2024 Prostate Cancer UK