Biodegradable spacer insertion to reduce rectal toxicity during radiotherapy for prostate cancer

1 Draft recommendations

1.1 The evidence on the safety and efficacy of biodegradable spacer insertion to reduce rectal toxicity during radiotherapy for prostate cancer is inadequate in quality. So the risks and benefits of this procedure cannot be determined. There have been an increasing number of reports of complications, although the incidence of these is unknown. Therefore, this procedure should only be used in the context of research. Find out what only in research means on the NICE interventional procedures guidance page.

1.2 Further research should include randomised controlled trials reporting details of patient selection, choice of radiotherapy technique and device used, reduction in rectal toxicity, improvement in quality of life, and all adverse events.