Dr. Fernandez Recognized as Center of Excellence for SpaceOAR Hydrogel

Dr. Dan Fernandez, a radiation oncologist in the Radiation Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, has been designated as a Center of Excellence for SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel – a device manufactured by Boston Scientific and designed to reduce the radiation dose delivered to the rectum during prostate cancer radiation treatment.

Due to the rectum’s close proximity to the prostate, it can become unintentionally damaged during therapy, leading to issues with bowel function.¹ SpaceOAR Hydrogel is designed to push the rectum away from the prostate, reducing the radiation dose delivered to the organ, which may lessen damage to the rectum.² The Center of Excellence designation recognizes Dr. Fernandez with a high degree of experience applying SpaceOAR Hydrogel^* and commitment to minimizing the impact on urinary, sexual and bowel quality of life for prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.³ Dr. Fernandez is joined by Dr. Penagaricano who is also recognized for this designation.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men behind skin cancer, and more than 3.1 million living in the country have been diagnosed with the disease.⁴ Prostate cancer can be treated through several options, including radiation therapy. Radiation therapy for prostate cancer contributes to a nearly 100% five-year survival rate for individuals with the condition.^4,5

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is made primarily of water and polyethylene glycol (PEG), a compound used in most implants, and naturally leaves the body after approximately six months.² A healthcare professional can implant SpaceOAR Hydrogel, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, in an office, hospital, clinic or surgery center and, typically, patients can go back to normal activities soon after the procedure.⁶**

In addition to SpaceOAR Hydrogel, Moffitt also offers SpaceOAR Vue™ Hydrogel, the next-generation of the device that can be seen on computerized tomography (CT) scans, negating the need for physicians to include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in treatment planning, and accommodating patients who are contra-indicated for MRI. SpaceOAR Vue Hydrogel is a radiopaque version of the technology designed to help physicians improve contouring accuracy and consistently position patients receiving prostate cancer radiation.

If you'd like to refer a patient to Moffitt Cancer Center, complete our online form or contact a physician liaison for assistance. As part of our efforts to shorten referral times as much as possible, online referrals are typically responded to within 24 - 48 hours.

1. ^{Mayo Clinic. External Beam Radiation for Prostate Cancer. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/external-beamradiation-for-prostate-cancer/about/pac-20384743. Accessed February 2022.}
2. ^{Boston Scientific. How Does SpaceOAR Hydrogel Work? Available at: https://www.spaceoar.com/about-spaceoar-hydrogel/how-spaceoar-hydrogel-works/. Accessed February 2022.}
3. ^{Hamstra DA, Mariados N, Sylvester J, 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):976-85.}
4. ^{Prostate Cancer Foundation. Treatment for Prostate Cancer: External-Beam Radiation Therapy. Available at: https://www.pcf.org/c/treatment-for-prostate-cancer-external-beam-radiation-therapy/. Accessed February 2022.}
5. ^{American Cancer Society. Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html. Accessed February 2022.}
6. ^{Hamstra DA, Mariados N, Sylvester J, et al. Sexual quality of life following prostate intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with a rectal/prostate spacer: Secondary analysis of a phase 3 trial. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2018 Jan-Feb;8(1):e7-e15.}