Lutetium PSMA therapy
Prostate-specific membrane antigen therapy using Lutetium-177 (Lu-177)
PSMA therapy may be a useful treatment option for you if you have prostate cancer that is no longer controlled by other standard treatments
What is Lutetium PSMA therapy?
Lutetium PSMA (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen), first conducted in 2019 at the Hybrid Imaging & Therapy Unit at The Wellington Hospital, is a new treatment for advanced prostate cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland and is resistant to other treatments. Lutetium PSMA aims to control the disease, improve your symptoms and help you live longer.
The Hybrid Imaging & Therapy Unit offers an integrated prostate cancer PSMA PET diagnostic and Lu-177 PSMA therapy service, whereby our team of nuclear medicine doctors and oncologists at The Prostate Centre work in collaboration to ensure that you are carefully monitored before, during and after your Lutetium-177 PSMA treatment. Whether you are suitable for this treatment is carefully deliberated at our multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs).
Need to know
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What happens during treatment? icon plus
Lutetium PSMA treatment will be administered at The Wellington Hospital by our highly skilled multi-professional team at the Nuclear Medicine Hybrid Imaging and Therapy Unit, who work closely with your oncologist, to deliver the best care for you.
Treatment is usually given as a day-case procedure although some people prefer to stay in overnight afterwards. You will have between four and six treatments at 6 to 8 week intervals.
PSMA therapy is given as a drip into a vein in your hand or arm. It takes about 20 minutes and has no immediate side effects. We will ask you to drink plenty of water before and afterwards.
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How to prepare for your procedure icon plus
Our nuclear medicine therapy consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. Because Lutetium PSMA is a radioactive medicine, we will ask you to follow some straightforward safety precautions after your treatment.
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After your procedure icon plus
You should expect to feel a bit more tired than usual for a week after your PSMA treatment. Your oncologist will see you and arrange a follow up blood test roughly 4 weeks after each PSMA therapy. Some people find that they have a dry mouth or eyes afterwards but this usually settles once the whole course of PSMA treatment is completed.
Advanced diagnostic technology and imaging services
Delivering a seamless patient experience
The latest ground-breaking treatment
A highly skilled multidisciplinary team
A state-of-the-art nuclear medicine facility
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Our consultants
Dr Constantine Alifrangis
Consultant Medical Oncologist
Role in MDT: As medical oncologist at Prostate Centre MDM (multidisciplinary team meeting); he inputs into the decision-making process for PSMA treatment and also shares medical care of patients for Lu177 PSMA therapy.
Dr Ranju Dhawan
Consultant Radiologist & Nuclear Medicine Physician
Role in MDT: As PET Radiologist to The Prostate Centre MDM (multidisciplinary meeting) & Clinical Lead of Hybrid Imaging & Therapy Unit, she provides diagnostic expertise to this MDM decision-making process.
Professor Heather Payne
Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Role in MDT: As clinical radiation oncologist at the Prostate Centre multidisciplinary team meeting (MDM), she inputs to the decision-making process for this treatment.
Mr Christian Brown
Consultant Urologist
Role in MDT: Urological Surgeon and Chair of the Prostate Centre multidisciplinary team meeting.
Our locations
From complex nuclear medicine techniques to diagnostic scans and procedures, we provide exceptional oncology care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
Request an appointment
Our booking teams can help you make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Hybrid Imaging & Therapy Unit
020 7483 5062Nuclear Medicine service, The Wellington Hospital
020 7483 5072