Lutetium therapy is an advanced type of treatment in which end-stage cancer cells are destroyed by high-energy radiation. Lutetium therapy is usually used for prostate cancer. These radiations specifically target the cancer cells in the prostate and destroy them. Lutetium can show the extent of cancer cells and spread to the surrounding tissues and distant organs. Lutetium therapy works by attaching to the specific molecules on the cancer cells of the prostate gland and then destroying them by emitting radiation.
Types of Lutetium-177 Treatments
Compare PRRT for NETs and Lu-177 PSMA therapy for prostate cancer.
Lutetium 177 Treatment Cost in India
The cost of lutetium therapy in India ranges from 8000 USD to 14,000 USD. The cost can vary according to the number of treatment sessions required for an individual patient. The cost can also vary according to the availability of radioactive materials.
- Lutetium Therapy: 8000 USD to 14000 USD
- Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy: 8800 to 13,000 USD
- Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy: 8000 to 9800 USD
City-Wise Variations of Lutetium 177 Treatment in India
- Mumbai: 9800 to 14000 USD
- Delhi: 9000 to 13,000 USD
- Chennai: 9000 to 11,000 USD
- Bangalore: 8900 to 9900 USD
Types of Lutetium 177 Treatment in India
Some of the types of lutetium therapy approaches are as follows
- Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy
- Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy
Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy
This treatment is used for prostate cancer in which a radioactive form of lutetium-177 is combined with a specific type of molecule known as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). PSMA is a protein found in high levels on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Lutetium-177 is administered through injections that target the cells with PSMA and destroy them.
Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy
Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy is more commonly used for tumors that grow under the effect of hormones. This type of lutetium therapy is also very useful in treating certain types of prostate cancer that express some specific proteins. Similar to PSMA therapy, Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy involves the administration of a radioactive form of lutetium to destroy the cancer cells.
The Procedure of Lutetium 177 Treatment
Lutetium therapy is given to the patient in multiple sessions, usually 5 to 6 treatment sessions, and 1 session is given in each week. The general overview of the lutetium therapy procedure is described below
Radiopharmaceutical Preparation
Lutetium-177 is combined with a targeting molecule specific to the type of cancer being treated. For example, in some tumors, it might be combined with DOTATATE but in prostate cancer, it combines with a PSMA targeting molecule. This forms the radiopharmaceutical used in the therapy.
Injection
The radiopharmaceutical is typically administered through the injection. This allows it to circulate throughout the body. It attaches to cancer cells that have the targeting molecule.
Targeted Radiation
Lutetium-177 emits radiation that damages the DNA of cancer cells. Since the targeting molecule directs the radiation to the cancer cells, it minimizes harm to healthy tissue.
Monitoring
Patients are closely monitored after the lutetium therapy radiation exposure. Some patients may experience side effects after radiation.
Recovery and Follow-up
Some medications can be used to treat the general side effects of the patient. The recovery can vary according to the complication of each patient.
Cost Comparison Between India and Different Countries
The cost of Lutetium-177 treatment in India is affordable to many patients across the globe. The cost comparison of Lutetium-177 in India and other countries is shown below
- India 8000 USD (starting price)
- UK 26,000 USD (starting price)
- USA 23,000 USD (starting price)
- Thailand 18,000 USD (starting price)
- UAE 15,000 USD (starting price)
Factors Affecting Lutetium 177 Treatment Cost in India
Some of the factors that can affect the total cost of each course of lutetium are listed below
- Number of courses of Lutetium 177
- Skill and experience of the surgeon
- General health of the patient
- Need for additional supportive treatment
- Diagnostic tests
- Complications during or after treatment
- Hospital’s infrastructure
- Patient’s age
Lutetium 177 Treatment Success Rates in India
Lutetium 177 has high success rates for treating prostate cancer in men. Most of the patients who received this treatment got better after a few sessions. It is an effective treatment when other treatments do not show any response to prostate cancer.
Conditions that point to the necessity of Lutetium 177 Treatment
Some of the conditions in which lutetium 177 treatment is used are as follows
- Prostate Cancer
- Cancer that starts in hormone-producing cells
Best Doctors for Lutetium 177 Treatment in India
- Dr. Rathna Devi
- Dr. S. Jayalakshmi
- Dr. S Hukku
- Dr Subir Gangopadhyay
- Dr. Bidhu K Mohanti
Best Hospitals for Lutetium 177 Treatment in India
- Apollo Gleneagles Hospital
- BLK Super Specialty Hospital
- Artemis Hospital
- Fortis Hospital
- Manipal Hospital
06/17/2024
