Radionuclide therapy (radiotherapy using radioactive drugs)

Radionuclide therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a radioactive source called a radionuclide or radioisotope. 

Your doctor will tell you if this treatment is suitable for you.

Thyroid cancer and advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer in your bones are 2 cancers commonly treated with this type of radiotherapy. It may also be used for some other cancers, such as certain types of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).

Examples of radioactive injections are strontium 89 and radium-223 (Alpharadin®/Xofigo®). They can help to shrink areas of cancer in your bone, which can relieve pain.

The radioactive source is given in tablet form or through an injection into your blood. 

Radionuclide therapy is usually given once a month for about 6 months.

Because the radiation source is not sealed within an implant, you will have radioactivity in your body for a few days after treatment.

With radioactive drug injections for prostate cancer, you should be able to go home and mix with other people straight after treatment, although you may be advised to avoid long periods of close physical contact.

With thyroid treatment you will stay in an isolation room in the
hospital for 3-4 days until the radiation is gone from your body.
The room has separate toilet and shower facilities. When your
radiation levels are low enough you will be discharged home with safety precautions.

The hospital team will give you safety advice when you are going home.

You will be given advice on what safety precautions you need to take and for how long you should follow the safety precaustions. Some examples are:

• Flushing the toilet twice
• Washing your hands well
• Using separate kitchen utensils and towels
• Not kissing or having sex

If you are breastfeeding, you will be given advice about stopping breastfeeding before and after treatment. You will also be given advice on when it is considered safe to try to have a child after treatment.