![]() Have cancer in your lymph nodes and the size of the lymph node is greater than 1½ cm across (your doctor can confirm this).Have cancer that has spread to another part of your body apart from your bones.Have had any other anti cancer treatment in the past 4 weeks apart from hormone therapy.Are to start chemotherapy in the next 6 months.Have had chemotherapy to treat your prostate cancer unless you had it before starting hormone therapy.Have had a type of radiotherapy called radioisotope therapy, for example strontium 89 (your doctor can tell you about this).You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. You are well enough to be up and about for at least half the day ( performance status 0, 1 or 2).You have had a bone scan in the past 12 weeks that shows at least 2 areas of cancer in your bones.Your other blood test results are satisfactory.You have a blood test result called ALP that was taken within the last 8 weeks (your doctor can confirm this).Your PSA blood test level has increased twice in a row and is at least 2 ng/ml (your doctor can tell you this).You have had an operation to remove both your testicles (bilateral orchidectomy) or are having long term hormone therapy.Your type of prostate cancer is an adenocarcinoma.You may be able to join this trial if all of the following apply Look at scans and for substances in the blood ( biomarkers ) that may show how well radium 223 is working.Find the best way to see how well radium 223 is working for each individual man.This is so doctors can know early on if the treatment is working. They also want to find out if the standard dose is the best dose of radium 223 to use. In this trial the researchers want to look at new ways to assess how well the radium 223 is working. So the treatment causes fewer side effects than other types of radiotherapy. This means the cancer cells receive a high dose of radiation and the healthy cells a very small amount or no radiation. This radiation only travels a short distance, less than a millimetre. The type of radiation radium 223 uses is called alpha particles. Cancer cells are more active than normal bone cells and so are more likely to pick up the radium 223. This makes it a good way of targeting cancer cells in the bone. Like calcium it is taken up by active bone cells. If the cancer has spread to more than one place in your bones doctors may use a type of internal radiotherapy called radium 223. One place in the body prostate cancer can spread to is the bones. These treatments can control your cancer but unfortunately it can start to get worse again and spread. You may also have an operation to remove your testicles. If you are sexually active use a condom during the first week after each injection.Doctors usually treat prostate cancer with hormone therapy.If you use a catheter or stoma bag, contact the Nuclear Medicine Department before treatment for further advice.Please show this to any medical staff you see during this time. You will be given a yellow card that you must keep with you at all times until 6 weeks after your final injection. Avoid any tests requiring blood, stool or urine samplesĬontact the Nuclear Medicine Department for advice if needed the telephone number is at the end of this page.Immediately wash and rinse well any stained clothing and bedding separately from other items.Wear disposable gloves when handling any body fluids and dispose of them in the bin immediately after use.You must take the following precautions for the first 7 days after each treatment: We will update it each time with the radium-223 dose and the date it was given.ĭuring the first week after each treatment there will be some radioactivity in your body fluids such as blood, faeces (stools), vomit and urine. Please bring the card with you when you attend for subsequent treatments. The cannula will then be removed and you can leave the hospital.īefore you leave, we will give you a yellow treatment card which you need to carry with you every time you leave your home until 6 weeks after the end of your treatment course. When you are happy to go ahead with the treatment a cannula will be placed into a vein and the injection will be given. On the day of your treatment, you will be seen by one of the Nuclear Medicine team who will talk to you about the therapy and answer any questions you might have. We will supply a blood test request form each time you attend for your treatment appointment. This can be done either at your local hospital or your GP’s practice. You will also need to have a blood test around this time. The week before each treatment you will have an appointment with your oncology consultant to check your weight, blood count and general well-being. Treatment is given every 4 weeks and, depending on how you tolerate and respond to the radium-223, a maximum of 6 treatments will be given.
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