Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
At Atrium Health Levine Cancer, we’re proud to offer some of the most advanced radiation treatments available, including radiopharmaceutical therapy – a promising option for certain types of metastatic cancer.
When cancer has spread or other treatments haven’t worked well, radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive drugs) may help slow cancer growth, ease symptoms like pain, and help you live longer with a better quality of life.
This therapy is delivered at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center in Charlotte, NC, where our experts use the latest technology in a comfortable, patient-centered environment. As the most experienced team in the region, we’re committed to providing specialized treatment for your unique needs.
What are radiopharmaceuticals?
Radiopharmaceuticals are medicines that use a small amount of radiation to find and treat cancer. They are often used when other treatments are no longer working. Sometimes, they’re combined with other treatments to get the best results.
Most radiopharmaceuticals are given through an IV (a small tube placed in your vein). The medicine travels through your bloodstream, finds cancer cells, and releases a precise dose of radiation to help slow or stop the cancer’s growth.
Radiopharmaceuticals are designed to be very precise. That means they can target cancer cells while leaving most healthy cells alone, so there may be fewer side effects.
This treatment is different from traditional radiation therapy, which uses machines to aim beams of radiation at a tumor from outside the body.
Why choose Levine Cancer for radiopharmaceutical therapy?
- State-of-the-art facility: Our Proton & Advanced Radiation Center features a dedicated space for radiopharmaceutical treatments – made for your comfort and well-being.
- Specialized team: Your care team includes expert radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, radiation safety specialists and nurses trained in radiopharmaceutical therapy.
- Trusted expertise: With over 10 years of experience, we treat more patients with radiopharmaceutical therapy than any other program in the region.
- Built for safety: From specially designed treatment rooms to expert handling of radioactive materials, every part of our process is built to protect you and your loved ones.
- Leading-edge care: Our team is studying how to make treatments like PRRT (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy) even safer, more effective and available for more types of cancer – helping shape the future of treatment.
- Focused on you: We tailor treatment to your needs and offer a wide range of support services to help you navigate your care and feel better – physically and emotionally – at every step.
Conditions we treat with radiopharmaceutical therapy
Radiopharmaceutical treatments are often used when cancer has spread (metastasized) or come back (recurred) after other treatments.
We currently offer this therapy for:
- Prostate cancer: Treatments like Pluvicto (Lutetium 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) and Xofigo (Radium Ra 223 dichloride) may be used for certain types of metastatic prostate cancer.
- Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs): Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate) may be used to treat advanced gastroenteropancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs), carcinoid tumors, pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma, and pulmonary NETs.
What to expect from radiopharmaceutical therapy
Treatment is personalized for every patient. If your doctor recommends radiopharmaceutical therapy, we’ll make sure you know what to expect at every step.
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Before treatment
You’ll meet with a radiation oncologist to review your medical history and what to expect from treatment. They will help you decide if radiopharmaceutical therapy is right for you.
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During treatment
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is given through an IV infusion by specially trained staff. The drug travels through your bloodstream to target cancer cells with radiation.
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After treatment
Most patients go home the same day. You may give off low levels of radiation for a short time. Your care team will share simple steps to keep everyone safe.
Request more information
Whether you have questions about radiopharmaceutical treatment or want to schedule a consultation, we’re here to provide the information you need.
Give the radiopharmaceutical team a call at 980-442-3400. For non-urgent, care-related questions, please call 980-442-3453.
For referring providers
When you refer a patient to us for radiopharmaceutical therapy, our experts work with you and your patient to provide the highest level of care. We keep you informed and involved throughout treatment and transition your patient back to your care when treatment is complete.
For questions about referrals, please contact our radiopharmaceutical nurses by calling the Proton & Advanced Radiation Center at 980-442-3400. Referrals can also be initiated directly through Epic.
Our location
We offer radiopharmaceutical therapy for cancer in Charlotte, NC, at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Proton & Advanced Radiation Center.
Meet the team
Our team includes national leaders in radiation oncology who specialize in radiopharmaceutical therapy. Meet our radiopharmaceutical providers.
Theranostics is a medical approach that uses radiopharmaceuticals in 2 steps:
- Find cancer: A small amount of radioactive material is used with imaging tools (like a PET scan) to help doctors see where cancer is in the body.
- Treat cancer: If the scan shows that the cancer can be targeted, a similar radioactive medicine is then used to treat the cancer by delivering radiation directly to the cancer cells.
This approach helps doctors personalize treatment, reduce side effects and improve outcomes by making sure the therapy goes exactly where it’s needed.
Yes, you may hear different terms depending on the specific type of treatment or cancer. Some terms related to radiopharmaceutical therapy include:
- Theranostics
- Radiotherapeutics (or radiotherapies)
- Radioimmunotherapy
- Radionuclide therapy
- Radioisotope therapy
- Radioligand therapy (RLT)
- Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)
- Nuclear medicine
- Theranostics
All of these involve using radioactive medicines to target cancer cells in a safe and controlled way.
Most radiopharmaceuticals are given through an intravenous (IV) injection, though some may be taken by mouth.
Treatment is given at the hospital, and you can usually go home the same day. Your care team will give you clear instructions to follow to keep yourself and your loved ones safe after treatment.
The dose and number of treatments depends on the type of radiopharmaceutical and your unique needs. Your care team will make sure you understand your specific treatment plan.
Yes. When used appropriately, radiopharmaceuticals are considered safe. We have dedicated safety specialists and take many precautions to limit your radiation exposure.
Like all radiation treatments, there are possible risks and side effects. Your care team will review this information with you before starting treatment and give you safety instructions after treatment.
Yes, but only for a short time. Radiopharmaceutical therapy uses a small amount of radioactive medicine that stays in your body for a limited period. During that time, you may give off low levels of radiation.
Your care team will give you clear instructions to help protect others, especially children and pregnant people. These may include avoiding close contact, sleeping separately and using a separate bathroom for a few days after treatment.
The radiation naturally leaves your body over time, and your care team will let you know exactly what to do and when it’s safe to return to normal activities.
Side effects can vary depending on the type of medicine used and how your body responds. Some people have mild or no side effects at all. When side effects do happen, they’re usually temporary and manageable.
The most common side effect is feeling very tired for a few days. Some people may also feel a little nauseated or notice changes in their appetite. In rare cases, the treatment can affect liver function, but your care team will monitor this closely.
Before your treatment, your care team will explain what to expect and let you know which symptoms to watch for. They’ll also tell you when to call or seek care – and they’re always here to help you feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
In general, radiopharmaceutical therapies do not cure cancer. But they provide a promising option for some patients who have cancer that’s resistant to other treatments.
Radiopharmaceuticals can:
- Target cancer cells with less damage to healthy cells, reducing the risk of side effects
- Slow down the growth of certain late-stage cancers
- Relieve symptoms caused by tumors
- Help patients live longer with better quality of life
The timing of treatment depends on the type of medicine used and your individual care plan. The IV infusion itself may take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. In some cases, treatment is given in several sessions over a few months.
Your care team will explain what to expect and help you plan each step of your treatment.
These treatments can be a promising option for some types of cancer that have spread and are resistant to other therapies.
We currently offer radiopharmaceutical therapy for certain types of metastatic prostate cancer and GI neuroendocrine tumors. We continually review our treatment options to make sure our patients have access to the safest, most effective therapies.
Your doctor can help you decide if radiopharmaceutical therapy is right for you.