Spacer application was well tolerated. Increased perirectal space reduced rectal irradiation, reduced rectal toxicity severity, and decreased rates of patients experiencing declines in bowel quality of life. The spacer appears to be an effective tool, potentially enabling advanced prostate RT protocols.

The benefit of a hydrogel spacer in reducing the rectal dose, toxicity, and QOL declines after image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer was maintained or increased with a longer follow-up period, providing stronger evidence for the benefit of hydrogel spacer use in prostate radiation therapy.

The use of a hydrogel spacer decreased dose to the penile bulb, which was associated with improved erectile function compared with the control group based on patient-reported sexual QOL.

No abstract

Previously a phase III trial of a hydrogel rectal spacer during prostate radiation therapy found decreased toxicity and a clinically significant improvement in bowel quality of life (QOL) at 3 years by the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index. We performed a secondary analysis to identify men less likely to benefit. Sources of support: This work was supported by research funding from Augmenix, Inc, which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Boston Scientific. Disclosures: N. Mariados and D. Shah have each made small investments in Augmenix. D.A. Hamstra, J. Michalski, and S. Daignault-Newton have provided paid consulting services for Augmenix and Boston Scientific. J. Michalski, H.A. Gay, and W. Bosch have provided core laboratory services for Augmenix.