Sarvodaya Cancer Hospital Delhi NCR proudly announces the first-time availability of Radium-223 therapy in India for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and predominant skeletal metastases. This milestone marks a new era in precision oncology, offering hope to patients with advanced disease who previously had limited options.
What Is Radium-223 Therapy?
Radium-223 dichloride (brand name: Xofigo®) is a targeted alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical approved for treating metastatic CRPC with bone involvement. It mimics calcium and selectively binds to areas of increased bone turnover, delivering high-energy radiation that destroys cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, Radium-223:
- Improves overall survival
- Reduces skeletal-related events
- Offers better quality of life
- Has minimal myelosuppression
Why Theranostics Centre in Delhi NCR, India a unit of Sarvodaya Hospital?
Sarvodaya Cancer Hospital is now the first nuclear medicine center in India to offer this cutting-edge therapy, reinforcing its leadership in nuclear medicine and theranostics. With a dedicated team of oncologists and nuclear medicine specialists, the hospital ensures:
- Safe and precise administration
- Multidisciplinary care
- Patient-centric counselling and follow-up
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is eligible for Radium-223 therapy?
Patients with:
- Castration-resistant prostate cancer
- Predominant bone metastases
- No visceral metastases (e.g., liver or lung)
2. What are the benefits of Radium-223 treatment?
Radium-223 can control painful bone metastases. It has also been shown to delay other potential complications of bone metastases, such as fractures, and to improve survival.
You should notice the benefits of radium-223 therapy within a few weeks of starting the treatment.
3. Are there any risks associated with this treatment?
There are risks associated with any treatment or procedure. Specific to radium-223 therapy, there is an increased risk of:
- anaemia (affecting one in three patients)
- infection (affecting about one in 30 patients)
- bruising and bleeding (affecting about one in 10 patients)
This is because radium-223 therapy can lower the levels of your red blood cells (involved in carrying oxygen around the body), white cells (involved in fighting infection) and platelets (cells involved in clotting).
If you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding, or have a fever, it is important that you contact the hospital immediately.
However, you may not feel any different and the low blood count may only be picked up from your blood test results. If your blood cell numbers are low, further treatments may need to be postponed until your blood cells recover. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
4. Preparing for the Radium-223 treatment
- Tell the team treating you about all the medicines you are taking, including medicines you have bought yourself, or any natural or herbal remedies.
- You should avoid taking calcium supplements for seven days before the radium-223 treatment.
- Please drink plenty of fluid to keep well hydrated.
- If you have any problems with bladder or bowel control, or if you dribble urine, please tell your doctor.
- Before treatment with radium-223, you will have blood tests and you will also be weighed. These are required to ensure that the correct dose of radium-223 is prescribed and ordered by your doctor.
- We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. The team treating you will answer any questions you may have so please ask if anything is unclear. If you decide to go ahead, we will ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves.
5. How is the treatment given?
- You will have your treatment in the Nuclear Medicine Department as an outpatient. However, the treating doctor may decide to admit you under daycare or overnight hospital stay.
- Radium-223 is given as an intravenous (directly into a vein) injection. A cannula (small plastic tube) will be placed in a vein in your arm, through which radium-223 will be given.
- The full course of treatment is six injections of radium-223 – one injection every four to six weeks six cycles.
6. Is it painful?
No. It has minimal discomfort and no need for anaesthesia.
7. What are the side effects?
The most common side effects of the treatment are:
- nausea/sickness (affecting one in three patients)
- diarrhoea (affecting one in four patients)
- Temporary fatigue/tiredness (affecting one in four patients)
- vomiting (affecting one in five patients)
- Low blood counts (rare)
8. Will it affect my daily routine?
Most patients resume normal activities immediately. Basic hygiene precautions are advised for a few days post-injection.
9. Is it covered by insurance?
Coverage varies. Patients are encouraged to consult with the hospital’s financial counsellors for assistance.
10. Can it be combined with other treatments?
Yes, but not with certain hormone therapies like abiraterone. Your oncologist will guide the best combination.
11. How effective is it?
Clinical trials show:
- Improved survival
- Reduced bone pain
- Delayed skeletal complications
12. Is it safe for caregivers and family?
Yes. The radiation is localized and poses no risk to others when basic precautions are followed.
13. How do I book a consultation?
Call Sarvodaya Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Department +91-9355258181 or visit the website (www.theranos.care) to schedule an appointment.
Join the Movement
Help us spread awareness about this breakthrough therapy.
