Thomas Kole, MD, PhD, Recognized as Center of Excellence for SpaceOAR Hydrogel

RIDGEWOOD, NJ, September 8, 2022 – Valley Health System is pleased to announce that Thomas Kole, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist, Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, 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.

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a gel-like material designed to push the rectum away from the prostate during radiation therapy. Due to the rectum’s close proximity to the prostate, it can be unintentionally damaged during radiation therapy, leading to issues with bowel function. By pushing the rectum away, SpaceOAR Hydrogel reduces the amount of radiation that the patient’s rectum receives during therapy treatments, which can reduce the risk of side effects caused by radiation therapy.

The Center of Excellence designation recognizes Dr. Kole with a high degree of experience applying SpaceOAR Hydrogel and a commitment to minimizing the impact on urinary, sexual, and bowel quality of life for patients with prostate cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

“Being designated as a SpaceOAR Hydrogel Center of Excellence is an important recognition for Valley, and further supports our efforts to deliver the highest-quality treatment possible for patients with prostate cancer in the northern New Jersey area,” said Dr. Kole. “Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment option for individuals with prostate cancer, but some patients may remain hesitant due to the unintended side effects that can impact their quality-of-life following treatment. SpaceOAR Hydrogel can complement the patient’s radiation treatment to preserve healthy tissue and help maintain quality of life.”

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer found in men and is most likely to develop after age 50. Patients with prostate cancer have excellent long-term survival rates when the cancer is detected and treated early.

For more information about prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment at Valley, please visit ValleyHealth.com/ProstateCancer. For more information about SpaceOAR Hydrogel, please visit SpaceOAR.com. To learn more about Dr. Kole, please visit ValleyHealth.com/DrKole.