any restrictions on commercial flight after Pluvicto - how many days recommended?

[Kayakbob]

How many days is it required to wait before flying commercially? My first Pluvicto infusion was yesterday, 2-3-23, and we have a pre-scheduled domestic flight on 2-11-23 (8 days later) on Alaska Airlines from seattle to maui. Any issues that others have had? I know that I may set off Homeland Security radiation detectors, and have a notification sheet from my Med Onc showing treatment. I'm more concerned about the airline denying boarding.

[tango65]

When I had the treatment in Munich in 2016 I came back 6 days after the 1st infusion without any problem at the German, British and American airports.

[Kayakbob in reply to tango65]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for.

[Zengal79]

My guy flew to Puerto Rico with no issues 6 days after infusion. I have heard reports of people getting stopped from setting security off but only minor inconveniences. His doctor gave him a card or paper to travel with but we never needed it. Enjoy Hawaii!!!! 🌸🌺☀️

[Kayakbob in reply to Zengal79]

Great - just what I was hoping to hear!

[Poowater]

Your treating doctor should have told you that you will trigger a radiation alarm at the airport. A letter should have been given to you for that purpose, as you will trigger alarms for 3 months.

[Poowater]

Get advice from the doctor for when you can travel.

[Kayakbob]

Thanks for the heads up - I did get a letter to notify security personnel, but was unsure if airlines would have additional requirements. I didn't realize that I would set off alarms for up to 6 months.

[tango65]

The half life of the ligand with the Lu 177 is about 34 hours. Any ligand that is not attached to mets, liver, spleen, kidneys, salivary glands etc., will be rapidly excreted in the urine. The half life of the metal Lu 177 is 6.7 days, There is no way it will trigger an alarm s 6 months after the administration of a dose.

[EdBacon in reply to tango65]

Just based on the physical half life, I come up with 1/134,217,728 of the original activity after 6 months. Should be well be below background quite a bit before that.

Background radiation levels are something around .034 mrem/hr. When I got my survey I was measued at 3.4mrem/hr. at 1 meter. So that's 100 times above background. A decrease of 100 would take approximately 6.64 half lives. So 6.64 multiplied by 6.7 day half life = 44 days. This is just considering the physical half-life of LU177, the biological half-life reduces that amount of time significantly.

[tango65 in reply to EdBacon]

Thanks for the calculations.

[EdBacon in reply to tango65]

Like you were saying, the unbound PSMA 617 is out cleared from your body much more quickly than the decay of LU-177.

[leebeth]

My husband flew two weeks after treatment and did not set off any alarms. In all honesty, we completely forgot about it, but I think he had the card in his wallet.

Mayo says it is ok to fly immediately after treatment, in their instruction sheet.

I wouldn’t worry at all, especially with the card in your wallet. Have a great time!

[MateoBeach]

No problem with those dates. Actually, 72 hours is probably safe. But you are still likely to set off radiation detectors at US international airports and borders longer. Very sensitive to the non-harmful photons co-emitted from Lu177 decay. You need a travel letter from the treating facility signed by the doctor explaining it. Homeland security is well familiar with this so it is routine if you have that letter.

[Kayakbob]

Thanks to all for the responses. I'll update after my flight to report any issues!😱

[Gudgelm]

Did you get treatment in Seattle?

[Kayakbob in reply to Gudgelm]

In Everett, WA at Providence Hospital thru their cancer care center - they are great!

[countrymusic101]

I flew 72 hours after 3 Lu-177 treatments - set off alarms when going through customs in Chicago. As long as you have your documentation of treatment passage is fine. Plan on being held up for a bit while they process you. This was my experience.

[Tinuriel]

Thanks for asking the question...we had no idea about this and will be traveling while my husband is receiving Xofigo treatments.

I want to thank all of you, this is such a great place for info and support. Praying for you, you are heros in my book.

[docbulldog]

Fred Hutchinson gives you a form to take with you if you’re going through security at the airport.

[lowT163]

For a minute I thought Biden wanted you to have a pluvicto proof of infusion card to get on the plane. That’s next year.