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Therapy of bone metastases (Radium-223)

Bone metastases are often seen in advanced malignant disease and are often symptomatic. It has been repeatedly proven that patients with advanced bone tumors or metastases have an accumulation of fractures, nerve complications or severe immobilizing pain. The bone-related events are limiting for patients especially in tumors like prostate cancer.

Overview

Radium-223 was approved in Switzerland in 2014 with the help of the University Hospital of Zurich. Ra-223 is an analog of calcium and lodges in active bone metastases. Due to the high and precise irradiation of radium-223, all bone metastases in the body are treated with a high local irradiation. Since radium-223 is a so-called alpha emitter, only about 10 cell diameters are treated locally. The indication is the treatment of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and symptomatic bone metastases without known visceral metastases when chemotherapy is not indicated or in case of progression after docetaxel.

Indications for radium-223 therapy

General indication

Patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and symptomatic bone metastases without known visceral metastases when chemotherapy is not indicated or in progression after docetaxel.

Contraindication

Laboratory Values: Hb < 10g/dl, Tc < 100,000 /ul, ANC < 1,500 ug/l

Responsible doctors

Ivette Engel-Bicik, Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Specialties: Thyroid and parathyroid diagnostics and therapy, Theranostics

For patients

As a patient, you cannot register directly for a consultation. Please have your family doctor, specialist refer you. If you have any questions, please use our contact form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Contact formular

For referring physicians

Simply assign your patient via registration form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Mail nuklearmedizin@usz.ch
Registration form

Responsible Department

Department of Nuclear Medicine