Florida Cancer Affiliates recently announced a new spacing tool designed for prostate cancer patients. | Courtesy of Shutterstock
+ Technology/Innovation
Amanda Rupp | Mar 30, 2016

Florida Cancer Affiliates develops spacing tool for prostate cancer patients

Florida Cancer Affiliates (FCA) recently created a new tool -- a spacing device -- to help prostate cancer patients gain protection from radiation therapy’s negative side effects.

Called SpaceOAR System hydrogel, this injection is the first cleared spacing device approved by the FDA. It is designed to protect the patients’ rectums during radiation therapy against prostate cancer.

The new system temporarily shifts the anterior rectal wall away from the patients’ prostate throughout the radiotherapy session. This provides extra space to block the radiation exposure from reaching the rectum.

“Creating space between the prostate and rectum is an important technological advance that significantly protects the rectum during radiation treatments and reduces the likelihood of early and late rectal side effects,” Sanjay Emandi, radiation oncologist at FCA, said. “Men facing prostate cancer may have some difficult decisions to make, but utilizing SpaceOAR hydrogel during radiation therapy should not be one of them. We have successfully implemented the option of using the Space OAR hydrogel into the treatment of our prostate cancer patients and have seen excellent results.”

FCA is the first in Florida to provide this new tool to its patients.

“Providing the best possible treatment to patients is our top priority, which is why we are one of the first centers offering SpaceOAR hydrogel,” Lawrence Hochman, practice president at FCA - Tampa Bay, said. “FCA has a long history of bringing new technological advances for radiation therapy to the local communities in Florida. We pride ourselves with providing patients with the cutting-edge and high-quality treatment options they deserve.”

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