Targeted radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)

This therapy uses a radioactive substance called a radionuclide. It is injected into the bloodstream. Cancer cells absorb radionuclide more than normal cells. This means they receive a higher dose of radioactivity. This eventually destroys the cancer cells.

Targeted radionuclide therapy and NETs

You usually have treatment 4 times, with a break of 8 to 12 weeks between each treatment.

To control the growth of NETs, the radionuclide can be combined with a substance called octreotide. The NET cells absorb the drug along with the radioactive substance. When the treatment uses octreotide, it is sometimes called peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or lutetium therapy.

Targeted radionuclide therapy only works for NETs that absorb large amounts of octreotide. Before treatment, you will have a nuclear medicine scan. The scan will measure how much octreotide the tumour absorbs.

If you are already having treatment with octreotide or lanreotide injections, your doctor may stop them for a while before radionuclide therapy.

All the side effects of targeted radionuclide therapy will be discussed with you before you agree (consent) to have treatment. For most people, the side effects do not last long, and they recover quickly.

Some people get a stomach ache or feel sick because of the treatment. You may have some pain for a few days due to inflammation of the tumour. Medicines can help with these side effects.

There may be a temporary drop in some of your blood cell levels. If this happens, you may:

• feel tired
• be more at risk of infection
• bruise or bleed more easily.
• Doctors will monitor you closely and you will have regular blood tests.

In the first few hours after treatment there can be a release of hormones. This can make your carcinoid symptoms worse for a couple of days.