Overview of Lutetium Therapy Treatment India
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. In the last stage of cancer, lutetium therapy is used to improve the quality of life of patients. Lutetium therapy is usually used when all the other treatment options fail to improve the symptoms of the patient. There are also some side effects of the radiation treatment by lutetium therapy but the benefits of lutetium in end-stage prostate cancer are more than the risks. For this reason, lutetium therapy is used for the management of symptoms of patients. Lutetium therapy is given to the patient in multiple sessions, usually 5 to 6 treatment sessions, and 1 session is given in each week. Some tests are performed every 3 weeks to check for any complications of the lutetium therapy.
Types of Lutetium Therapy Treatment 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 uses a radioactive form of lutetium-177 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.
Procedure of Lutetium Therapy
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 of Lutetium Therapy in India
The cost of lutetium therapy in India ranges from 6000 USD to 9800 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.
| Treatment Costs in India | Min in USD | Max in USD |
| Lutetium Therapy | 6000 USD | 98000 USD |
Symptoms and Risk factors
Indications of Lutetium Therapy
The indications of lutetium therapy are:
- Cancer that starts in hormone-producing cells
- Prostate Cancer
Risk Factors of Lutetium Therapy
Some of the risk factors of lutetium therapy are as follows:
Kidney Function
Lutetium-177 is excreted through the urine. So patients with already existing kidney diseases may experience some serious side effects and complications due to lutetium.
Bone Marrow Suppression
Lutetium therapy can affect the function of the bone marrow which can lead to a decrease in the number of blood cells in the body. This may further complicate the condition of a patient.
Radiation Exposure
Exposure to radioactive materials can be harmful for healthcare professionals so the procedure requires so many skills and techniques to prevent complications.
Allergic Reactions
Some patients may have allergic reactions to the substances used in lutetium therapy. It can cause rashes on the skin.
General side effects
Lutetium therapy can also lead to general side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Fatigue
Patients may become tired after the radiation therapy which severely affects the quality of life of patients.
Infertility
Lutetium therapy can affect fertility in men. The radiation exposure to the prostate gland can also affect the other structures in the surrounding area.
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