Radionuclide therapy

Also called peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) or hormone-delivered radiotherapy. This treatment involves a similar strategy as that applied in an octreotide scan, but the dose of radiation is high enough to prevent further tumor growth or even kill the tumor.

Radioactive substances are chemically combined with hormones that are known to accumulate in a NET. This combination is injected into the patient: the hormones will enter the tumor, and the attached radiation will kill the tumor cells.

There are a number of different radioactive agents available.

Examples of radioactive agents

• 111-Indium
• 90-Yttrium DOTATOC
• 177-Lutetium
• 90-Yttrium-tyr3-DOTA-octreotate