Radiopharmaceuticals Provide Accurate Prostate Cancer Treatment Throughout the Body

The first step in radiopharmaceutical treatment is accurate cancer diagnosis. To do so, patients are imaged with a technique called radiotheranostics. Radioactive compounds are designed specifically to bind to cancer cells, so when they are injected into the body, they go to the source of the cancer.

Once the radioactive tracers are in the body, they emit signals that can be picked up by advanced imaging machines. This enables our radiation oncologists to see exactly where the cancer is located, and how much of it there is. The clarity and detail of the images picked up by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans with the aid of radioactive tracers in the body are superior to traditional imaging methods. With this technology, we can identify even small clusters of cancer cells.

Once the cancer has been diagnosed, the radioactive tracers inside the body can then be used to treat it. The radioactive compounds deliver precise doses of radiation directly to cancer cells, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This precision treatment not only maximizes the effectiveness of radiotherapy treatment, but it also minimizes side effects.

Accuracy and precision when it comes to prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment are critical. Using radiotheranostics for prostate cancer screening gives patients the best of both worlds because it enables our radiation oncologists to create a treatment plan based on the most detailed information available.

Having an extremely detailed and accurate map of cancer helps us focus on what is truly needed to treat prostate cancer. Because radiotheranostics is a targeted treatment, it’s often tolerated better than other radiation therapies, with patients typically experiencing fewer side effects. For patients who do experience side effects, side effects may include fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

As exciting as radiotheranostics technology is, it is not suitable for every patient. At Oncology Las Vegas, patients will first meet with a radiation oncologist to discuss their medical history and current condition to determine whether radiotheranostics is the right path to pursue. If it is, the radiation oncologist will order the injection of the radioactive tracer and imaging scans.

Based on the detailed images from the scans, the radiation oncologist will map out the location and size of the cancer and create a customized treatment plan. Finally, the patient will receive targeted radiation therapy from the radioactive compounds in the body. By using the radioactive tracers in the body for imaging and treatment, our radiation oncologists are also able to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment as it is ongoing.

Beginning with the prostate cancer screening and consultation, patients can expect a series of appointments. Throughout the patient journey, our dedicated and caring staff are here to provide support and answer questions along the way.

As a clinic of caregivers dedicated to improving the lives of our patients, we are thrilled to offer this specialized radiotherapy treatment option that leverages the improved accuracy for cancer detection to deliver a highly effective treatment with minimized side effects for patients.