What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a 78-year-old prostate cancer patient who developed a peri-SpaceOAR abscess and subsequent rectal perforation after radiation therapy, which was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
What They Found
A 78-year-old prostate cancer patient developed a peri-SpaceOAR abscess and subsequent rectal perforation following external beam radiation therapy. The abscess was managed with antibiotics and drainage, while the rectal perforation was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, leading to full recovery.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy with SpaceOAR should be aware of rare but severe complications like abscesses and rectal perforation. This case suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be a viable treatment option for such serious rectal complications.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a case report, this study's findings are limited to a single patient and cannot be generalized to a broader population.