In the era of recognition of the importance of high dose radiotherapy for improved tumor control outcomes and the emerging importance of image-guided hypo-fractionated treatment regimens, sparing normal tissues from these dose levels is more than ever critical. This device could provide the radiation oncologist an opportunity to safely and effectively separate the rectum from the prostate and potentially eliminate the risk of rectal injury after external beam radiotherapy or seed implantation. Such an opportunity could possibly make a big difference for reducing side effects of treatment and improving the quality of life of patients we treat.
Prof. Michael Zelefsky
Chief Brachytherapy Services, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
I experienced and implanted BioProtect’s biodegradable balloon device. The implantation procedure is easy to learn and to perform, after a certain TRUS-guided interstitial prostate brachytherapy experience. Our implanted patients were very satisfied having no post-implant side-effects. From a radiation therapy treatment planning point of view there is a clear benefit in terms of enlarged distance between the dorsal part of the prostate and the ventral rectal wall.
Gyoergy Kovacs M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Radiotherapy & Head Interdisciplinary Brachytherapy Unit University of Luebeck University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein Campus Luebeck
I would say that the device provides capability to significantly reduce the dose to the rectum, which should provide an added margin of safety beyond what can be achieved by even the most sophisticated radiation delivery techniques.
Mitchell S. Anscher, MD, FACR, FACRO
Florence and Hyman Meyers Professor and Chair Department of Radiation Oncology Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
