21st Century Oncology Announces Use of SpaceOAR® Hydrogel for Prostate Cancer
FORT MYERS, Fla. (PRWEB) May 09, 2018 -- 21st Century Oncology is pleased to announce that they are now offering a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure for men undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer. SpaceOAR hydrogel acts as a protective spacer between the prostate and the rectum and has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of side effects from radiation treatment.
SpaceOAR hydrogel is an FDA-cleared treatment that is injected into place prior to the start of radiation therapy. In a clinical trial, patients treated with SpaceOAR hydrogel prior to prostate cancer radiation treatment experienced a clinically significant decline in bowel, urinary and sexual side effects through three years of follow-up. Patients that received SpaceOAR reported increased quality of life, eight times more often than patients who did not receive the treatment. (1, 2)
“We immediately saw the potential of this procedure to reduce many of the common side effects of prostate radiation therapy and participated as investigators in the clinical trial that helped earn SpaceOAR’s FDA clearance,” says Constantine Mantz, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of 21st Century Oncology. “We are pleased to offer this procedure to our prostate cancer patients as we strive to optimize their function and quality of life after successful treatment.”
Patients can immediately resume their normal activities after the procedure. The gel stays in place for approximately three months and is then naturally absorbed and cleared in the urine in about six months.
“In 2018, there will be over 160,000 new cases of prostate cancer in American men and so far, over 20,000 patients worldwide have been successfully treated with SpaceOAR hydrogel,” said John Pedersen, President and CEO of Augmenix, Inc. “We are excited that 21st Century Oncology has adopted the SpaceOAR System.”
For more information about our services, visit 21co.com.
For more information about SpaceOAR, visit SpaceOAR.com.
About 21st Century Oncology:
21st Century Oncology is the largest global, physician led provider of Integrated Cancer Care services. The company offers a comprehensive range of cancer treatment services, focused on delivering academic quality, cost-effective patient care in personal and convenient settings. As of December 31, 2017, the company operates 167 treatment centers, including 131 centers located in 17 states and 36 centers located in seven countries in Latin America. The company holds market-leading positions in most of its domestic local markets and abroad.
1) DA Hamstra, N Mariados, J Sylvester, et al. Continued Benefit to Rectal Separation for Prostate Radiation Therapy: Final Results of a Phase III Trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys; 2017 Apr 1; 97(5): 976-985
2) DA Hamstra, et al. Sexual Quality of Life Following Prostate Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) with a Rectal/Prostate Spacer: Secondary Analysis of a Phase III Trial. Published online: July 19, 2017 Practical Radiation Oncology.
Risks associated with the implantation of SpaceOAR hydrogel:
In addition to the risks associated with any medical procedure there are potential complications that may be associated with the use of the SpaceOAR System that include, but are not limited to: pain or discomfort associated with SpaceOAR hydrogel; needle penetration or injection of SpaceOAR hydrogel into the bladder, prostate, rectal wall, rectum or urethra; local inflammatory reactions; infection; injection of air, fluid or SpaceOAR hydrogel intravascularly; urinary retention; rectal mucosal damage, ulcers, necrosis; bleeding, constipation; and rectal urgency.
For More Media Information:
Melissa Rogovin • Michele Krohn
Full Circle PR • 813.887.3277
[email protected]
April Renzella, Augmenix, Inc., http://SpaceOAR.com, 781-902-1621, [email protected]
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