PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy)

What is PRRT?

PRRT is a nuclear medicine treatment for patients with neuroendocrine tumors that have formed metastases. The treatment is carried out during an inpatient stay in a hospital with a nuclear medicine department. The therapy is carried out in several cycles. Usually, four cycles take place at intervals of eight to twelve weeks.

For Which Patients Is PRRT Therapy Suitable?

A specific type of neuroendocrine tumor has many receptors on its surface to which the hormone somatostatin can bind. This characteristic can be exploited for these tumors' diagnosis and therapy by using receptors as target structures for antibodies and radioactive molecules. In PRRT, a radioactive molecule is coupled to a peptide molecule that is very similar to somatostatin and can therefore link to the somatostatin receptors on the neuroendocrine tumor. After linking, the coupled radioactive molecule's released radiation destroys all cells in the immediate surroundings and destroys the tumor cells. At the same time, healthy tissue is spared, since the radiation has a short range of only a few millimeters. Besides, the radioactive molecules emit gamma radiation that is intercepted outside the body; with this information, conclusions about the tumor's location and size can be drawn.

PRRT Procedure

The patient is admitted to the hospital for treatment. Usually, a hospital stay of two to five days can be expected. A doctor's consultation takes place on the first day, and blood will be drawn for laboratory values. The PRRT mainly affects the kidneys and bone marrow. It is, therefore, essential to determine their function before treatment. Shortly before the actual therapy, an infusion is administered to protect the kidneys. The peptide receptor, coupled with the radioactive molecule, is infused into the bloodstream via a venous cannula. The infusion runs for about half an hour. Afterward, the patient's radiation is monitored regularly, and full-body images confirm the therapy's success. If there are no complications and the patient is in good health considering the circumstances, the hospital can be left after the radiation drops below a specific limit.

Who covers the costs?

Health insurance companies do not automatically cover the costs of a PRRT. Before the therapy, an individual application for cost absorption must be submitted, explaining why the patient needs this therapy.

PRRT Experience

The success of the PRRT is very variable. It can lead to a total regression or a reduction in the volume of the tumors and metastases. PRRT can also prevent further growth so that the volume of the tumors remains the same. Unfortunately, it is also possible that patients may experience disease progression despite PRRT.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialists in Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy?

Every patient who needs a doctor wants the best medical care. Therefore, the patient is wondering where to find the best clinic. As this question cannot be answered objectively, and a reliable doctor would never claim to be the best one, we can only rely on a doctor's experience.

We help you to find an expert for your disease. All listed physicians and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in PRRT (peptide receptor radionuclide therapy) and expect your inquiry or treatment request.

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