A new clinical study suggests that using a polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel during radiation therapy for cervical cancer can help protect the rectum from excess radiation exposure. The study was published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.
The study included 94 women with cervical cancer who received standard radiation therapy with or without a PEG hydrogel injection. The gel is placed between the cervix and rectum to create more space and act as a temporary barrier. This reduces radiation reaching healthy tissue.
Patients who received the PEG hydrogel had about 8% lower radiation doses to the rectum compared with those who did not. Radiation exposure to nearby organs such as the bladder and small intestine stayed the same. The hydrogel remained stable throughout treatment and up to 24 weeks afterward.
“The gel effectively increased the distance between the rectum and cervix, significantly reducing rectal radiation,” said lead investigator Dr. Yuxuan Wang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Dr. Wang noted that while the radiation dose to the rectum decreased, the short-term quality of life and side effects were similar between both groups. “Longer follow-up is still needed to understand long-term benefits,” she said.
During treatment, most patients tolerated the hydrogel well. The most common side effects were mild pain or temporary discomfort at the injection site. Only one patient developed a rectovaginal fistula, which healed after surgery. No severe or life-threatening complications occurred.
The researchers also found small improvements in symptoms such as constipation among patients who received the hydrogel. Chronic radiation-related rectal issues were less frequent in the hydrogel group, though the difference was not statistically significant.
Overall, the findings suggest that PEG hydrogel is a safe and promising tool to reduce radiation injury to the rectum during cervical cancer treatment. Doctors say ongoing research will help determine whether this spacer can improve long-term bowel function and quality of life.
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