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Use of hydrogel spacers before radiation therapy for prostate cancer reduces rectal toxicity: Study
![Use of hydrogel spacers before radiation therapy for prostate cancer reduces rectal toxicity: Study Use of hydrogel spacers before radiation therapy for prostate cancer reduces rectal toxicity: Study](https://medicaldialogues.in/h-upload/2022/07/14/750x450_180703-prostate-cancer.webp)
Australia: Hydrogel spacers may potentially reduce rectal toxicity after radiation therapy in men with prostate cancer and is a low-morbidity method, suggests recent data published in BJUI International. Data on sexual function and oncological outcomes are limited to date, the researchers add.
Hydrogel spacers are absorbable gel that temporarily creates a space between the prostate and the rectum. This extra space protects the rectum from radiation exposure during prostate cancer treatment.
Marlon Perera, Urology Department, Austin Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, and colleagues aimed to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the published data on the impact of hydrogel spacers on rectal dosimetry and toxicity and to outline the practicalities of inserting hydrogel spacers.
Based on the review, the researchers reported the following:
- A growing body of evidence suggests that the administration of hydrogel spacers is safe and is associated with limited peri-operative morbidity.
- The impact on rectal dosimetry has been clearly established and the use of hydrogel spacers is associated with reduced rectal morbidity.
- These results have been corroborated by several Phase II and III clinical trials and subsequent meta-analyses.
- There are several areas for future research, including the role of hydrogel spacers in prostate stereotactic beam radiotherapy and post-radiotherapy local recurrence.
Further, the authors also discussed the types of hydrogel spacers used, the practicalities of inserting hydrogel spacers, and the complications associated with hydrogel spacer insertion.
They discussed the cost-effectiveness of hydrogel spacer use and provided an overview of future research areas, including the role of hydrogel spacers in prostate stereotactic beam radiotherapy and post-radiotherapy local recurrence.
"Hydrogel spacer insertion is a low-morbidity surgical intervention that may reduce recall toxicity following radiation therapy in patients with prostate cancer," the researchers wrote. "To date, data outlining the sexual function and oncological outcomes are limited."
"Future studies, currently being conducted, may provide further clarify the role of hydrogel spacers in the management of prostate cancer," they concluded.
Harvey M, Ong WL, Chao M, Udovicich C, McBride S, Bolton D, Eastham J, Perera M. Comprehensive review of the use of hydrogel spacers prior to radiation therapy for prostate cancer. BJU Int. 2022 Jun 10. doi: 10.1111/bju.15821. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35689413.
MSc. Biotechnology
Medha Baranwal joined Medical Dialogues as an Editor in 2018 for Speciality Medical Dialogues. She covers several medical specialties including Cardiac Sciences, Dentistry, Diabetes and Endo, Diagnostics, ENT, Gastroenterology, Neurosciences, and Radiology. She has completed her Bachelors in Biomedical Sciences from DU and then pursued Masters in Biotechnology from Amity University. She has a working experience of 5 years in the field of medical research writing, scientific writing, content writing, and content management. She can be contacted at  editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751
Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: editorial@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751