31 May 2019
UH Bristol treats the first NHS prostate cancer patient with innovative radiotherapy treatment
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recently
performed the first NHS case of an innovative procedure which can
reduce the side-effects of radiotherapy for prostate cancer
patients by over 70 per cent.
The new procedure involves injecting a hydrogel into the space
between the patient's prostate and rectum before the radiotherapy
treatment. The gel then acts as a spacer, temporarily positioning
the rectum away from the prostate, reducing the amount of radiation
the rectum and surrounding tissue are exposed to. The hydrogel
remains in place during the radiation therapy before being
naturally absorbed by the body after six months.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men; more than
40,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. When the cancer is
caught early enough, radiotherapy can be a highly effective option
and can eradicate 60% of tumours. It works by targeting high-energy
x-rays at the prostate, killing cancer cells and stopping them from
spreading. However, during the treatment not all of the radiation
is absorbed by the prostate, meaning that nearby healthy organs and
tissue can be affected. This can lead to health complications later
in life such as rectal bleeding and diarrhoea, impotence, and bowel
problems.
(Image: Boston Scientific)
The SpaceOAR hydrogel, which is manufactured by Boston
Scientific has been clinically proven to relatively reduce
some of these side effects by over 70% meaning that patients can
enjoy a much better quality of life following the procedure.
Spacing also enables the clinical staff to administer more intense
doses of radiotherapy, increasing the impact on the cancer but with
the assurance that it won't have an adverse effect on the patient's
quality of life in the future.
Professor Amit Bahl, consultant clinical oncologist at UH
Bristol carried out the procedure. Speaking about the wider
implications this development could have on men with prostate
cancer, Amit said:
"This is a fantastic outcome for prostate cancer patients,
who now have the opportunity to undergo radiation treatment while
minimising the associated potential side effects.
"Potential side-effects from radiation exposure are a major
concern for men who are given the option of radiotherapy and can
often negatively impact men's decision to accept this treatment
option.
"New technology such as radiotherapy delivery systems and
SpaceOAR hydrogel are important, they give men the confidence that
not only are we doing our best to treat the cancer, but also that
we are protecting their long-term quality of life from bowel,
urinary and erectile dysfunction."
Professor Amit Bahl
Owen Ainsley, divisional director for specialised
services at UH Bristol, said:
Providing innovative procedures such as this is a key part of UH
Bristol's plans to develop and continue delivering exceptional care
to all of our patients. We are naturally extremely proud to be the
first Trust offering such a life changing procedure to NHS
patients, and it is testament to the dedication and skill of the
clinical teams that we are able to do so.
Notes to editors:
Media contact: Matt Thackray: press officer. Matthew.thackray@uhbristol.nhs.uk.
01173423629
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