Prof. Dr. Özgür Şanlı from the Nuclear Medicine Department of İzmir University of Economics (IEU) Medical Point Hospital discussed the importance of “Lutetium” therapy for prostate cancer patients who have not benefited from treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, stating, “It is possible to overcome prostate cancer with Lutetium treatment.”
Prof. Dr. Şanlı shared information about Lutetium therapy, also known as atomic therapy, which is less commonly known to the public. As a radionuclide treatment, Lutetium can help patients overcome prostate cancer. “Atomic therapy is a general term. Think of a smart drug targeted at certain types of cancer, combined with different molecules and administered to the patient intravenously or orally, resulting in a radiation treatment within the human body. Lutetium falls under atomic therapy and is generally used for resistant prostate cancer cases where chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other treatments have failed,” he said. Prof. Dr. Şanlı noted that this treatment could alleviate symptoms like bone pain and potentially increase survival rates. “In some cases, it may also achieve long-term remission of the disease, which is a very important and hopeful option for patients who have not responded to chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” he added.
DIFFERENT FROM CHEMOTHERAPY
Explaining that atomic therapy is important for thyroid, prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors, Prof. Dr. Şanlı said, “There are differences between atomic therapy and chemotherapy. Atomic therapy does not have serious side effects. It can even be administered to a 90-year-old patient. Unlike chemotherapy, atomic therapy does not cause hair or eyelash loss. Some patients may experience dry mouth, but this does not significantly affect daily life, allowing individuals to continue their routine comfortably.”
