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Would you irradiate the prostate in a patient with SpaceOAR in the incorrect location but not invading rectum or prostate?

MRI shows that it's not within the rectum or prostate but it does appear to be following the contour of the right peripheral zone down almost between the GUD/Apex and possibly touching the urethra. Is there concern in treating patients with misplaced SpaceOAR but not invading rectum/prostate? Would you instead wait for months for the gel to reabsorb prior to treating?
3 Answers
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Radiation Oncology · Fox Chase Cancer Center
Answered on

I would treat without delay if the SpaceOAR gel is not invading the rectum. It is common to see gel placements that are not ideally placed, and we have not seen any unusual or unexpected side effects/complications from this. We still see a dosimetric advantage in our treatment plans, even with a sub...

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Radiation Oncology · Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
Answered on

Unless the patient is very symptomatic due to poor placement of the SpaceOAR, or you cannot meet normal tissue dose constraints due to anatomic distortion created by the placement, I would proceed with treatment. SpaceOAR placements are often not perfect, especially when one is learning the procedur...

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Radiation Oncology · Tennessee Oncology
Answered on

No matter how many gel placements one has performed, some will not result in the ideal “pancake” geometry between the prostate and anterior rectal wall. Experience will lessen this frequency but will not eliminate it, since variables such as unexpected fibrosis or gland size/shape can sometimes domi...

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