Prostate cancer responds well to treatment in the first, second and even third stages. In most cases, the disease can be cured completely. However, in the fourth stage, metastases develop. In such a case, local methods of cancer treatment are not very effective. The basis of the fight against advanced prostate cancer is systemic treatment that affects the entire body. Doctors use hormone therapy, chemotherapy. If the tumor becomes hormone-resistant, you can undergo the innovative Lutetium-177 therapy in Germany. Targeted radiation therapy makes it possible to achieve success even in the most complex clinical cases.
What is targeted radiation therapy
Targeted radiation therapy is a radiation option that, unlike most types of radiation therapy, is a systemic treatment. Doctors do not need to know where all the tumors and metastatic foci are located in the body in order to direct the radiation. They inject a radiopharmaceutical agent into the patient’s vein. The drug finds malignant cells, accumulates in them and destroys them with beta radiation.
How does it work? A radiopharmaceutical agent consists of a ligand and a radionuclide. The first delivers the second to the tumor, and the second destroys it.
Ligands are molecules that are directed to particular targets in the body and can bind to them. In the case of prostate cancer, the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is used as a target. It is detected in prostate cells, especially a great quantity of this protein is detected in cancer cells, but PSMA is absent in other tissues of the body. This ensures the selectivity of the action of the radiopharmaceutical: it does not affect healthy organs.
A radionuclide is a source of radiation. The ligands deliver it directly to the tumor. Various substances can be used as a radionuclide. In prostate cancer, the radiopharmaceutical agent usually contains Lutetium-177. It emits short beta-radiation, which extends only a few millimeters. Therefore, cancer cells are irradiated with minimal damage to the surrounding normal tissues.
How is the treatment carried out
The patient undergoes PSMA-PET to see if the radiopharmaceutical agent can accumulate in the tumor, and also to clarify the stage of the disease. Doctors assess the size of all detected tumor foci in order to further monitor the effectiveness of therapy.
The treatment itself consists of an intravenous injection of the radiopharmaceutical agent. The drug is administered very slowly. Salivary glands may be cooled to reduce the risk of developing dry mouth. To protect the kidneys, infusion therapy is carried out.
After the injection, the person spends several days in the hospital. He is usually discharged on the fourth day, when the body no longer emits radiation.
The radiopharmaceutical agent is administered once every 4-8 weeks. Every 2 cycles, a control PSMA-PET/CT is performed. Each cycle, the patient undergoes a general clinical examination to assess the effect of therapy on the internal organs. As a rule, Lutetium for prostate cancer is well tolerated. Patients rarely suffer from severe side effects.
The use of Lutetium in medicine began relatively recently, but doctors have already received impressive results. The vast majority of patients respond to treatment. The tumors are usually significantly reduced in size after the first dose. After several injections of the radiopharmaceutical agent, the tumors disappear completely in some patients.
To undergo PSMA therapy in one of the best clinics in Germany, you are welcome to use the services of the Booking Health company. On our website you can compare the cost of Lutetium treatment in different hospitals and book a medical care program at a favorable cost. Our experts will help you choose the best clinic and doctor, as well as take care of the organization of treatment abroad.
