BATON ROUGE, La., March 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Mary
Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is the only
facility in the region offering a new, innovative tool proven to
protect prostate cancer patients from side effects that can occur
from radiation therapy. The Cancer Center is now using SpaceOAR®
hydrogel, the first FDA cleared temporary spacing device to protect
vital organs in men being treated for the disease. The gel creates
space between the prostate and rectum, and has been shown to reduce
bowel, bladder, and erectile damage.
Previously, in order to protect prostate cancer patients' organs
during radiation treatment, it was necessary for a balloon to be
inserted into the rectum. This process occurred prior to each
radiation dose, with patients receiving treatment once a day over
five to nine weeks; conversely, SpaceOAR is a temporary gel and is
administered only once.
The SpaceOAR System is injected through the skin into the space
between the patient's prostate and rectum prior to radiation. The
gel remains in place for about three months during radiation
treatment, and then liquefies, and is absorbed and cleared from the
body in the patient's urine.
"Clinical research has shown that by using SpaceOAR, patients
experience fewer side effects and a better quality of life post
treatment," said Charles Wood, M.D.,
director of radiation oncology at the Cancer Center and the only
radiation oncologist in Louisiana
who is a Certified Applier of SpaceOAR. "Men facing prostate cancer
may have some difficult decisions to make, but the opportunity to
utilize this hydrogel over the balloon method is really a simple,
clear choice."
Prostate cancer survivor Ronald
Atwood was the first patient treated at the Cancer Center
using SpaceOAR hydrogel and attests that it was the best
option.
"I've had a number of friends treated for prostate cancer in
recent years and their experience, due to the invasive nature of
the balloon, was much less comfortable, and they did experience
side effects. I couldn't even tell the gel was in my body," said
Atwood. "Now, my cancer is gone, I'm feeling great and I can feel
confident knowing that my organs were fully protected during
treatment."
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among
men in Louisiana, but if caught
early, five-year survival is close to 100 percent. Men should begin
screenings at age 50 or 45 for African Americans or those with a
family history.
For more information, please call the Cancer Center at (225)
767-0847.
About Mary Bird Perkins – Our
Lady of the Lake Cancer Center:
As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer
Center offers the most advance technology and services provided by
a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The
Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every
stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific
multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program,
extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the
Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. As a
nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining
the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of
cancer for so many throughout Southeast
Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer
Center, and how you can become involved, please visit
marybirdlake.org.
Media Contact:
Scott Miller
(225) 215-1290
smiller@marybird.com
SOURCE Mary Bird Perkins - Our
Lady of the Lake Cancer Center