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Radiotherapy and rectal spacer

User
Posted 18 Nov 2025 at 08:44

Diagnosed 3 years ago. Been on Active Surveillance since then. Hospital now concerned about latest PSA tests so suggesting Radiotherapy may be needed. Concerned about side  effects but my question relates to the procedure they suggest first - Rectal Spacer which reduces chances of bowel damage. Anyone had this procedure. Sounds unpleasant and I would need to stop taking Warfarin for several days. On this for Atrial Fibrillation. Frankly I am more concerned about stroke risk by stopping Warfarin than prostate cancer. Any input on rectal spacer useful please.

User
Posted 18 Nov 2025 at 09:53

Hi,


I had one fitted around this time last year, around three weeks before starting radiotherapy. It's a very similar to how the biopsy felt. Local anesthetic, ultra sound in back passage, needle in perineum.


It was over a lot quicker than the biopsy and I went back to work afterwards. Obviously not the most pleasant experience but I didn't mind it too much, plus anything to reduce damage to surrounding tissue sounded good to me!


I'm just under a year on from EBRT/Brachytherapy and bowels feel pretty much normal, no urgency, no issues to speak of. I did have some side effects during, nothing major. Things felt looser and there is a clear mucus that you get caused by irritation to the bowel. This cleared up a couple of months after with the odd slight re-occurrence. Nothing recently though


How much difference the spacer made I'll never know for sure, but very happy I took them up on the offer.


All the best


John


P.S. I'm sure they said it reduces exposure to radiation by around 70% or something like that

Edited by member 18 Nov 2025 at 10:09  | Reason: extra info

User
Posted 19 Nov 2025 at 17:56

I start radiotherapy in January at my local NHS trust. There’s been no mention of a rectal spacer.  I wonder why?

 
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