lutetium 177

[FionaElbourne]

after exploring options in Germany and London my husband had his first treatment in London on 6 April, he had pain about day 10 to 14 as the steroids finished and then pain passed. We were not expecting g the continual bleeding that started on day 18. My husband has a Foley catheter so it’s is just continual bleeding for last 9 days. He got a blood transfusion last Friday and is scheduled for directed radiotherapy to the prostate next Monday to try and stop the bleeding. Has anyone experienced bleeding after Lutetium 177. If so what treatment did you receive. He has mets throughout his bones skull to toe.

[Finlay66]

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges Fiona. I'm going through similar myself and I wish you and your husband all the very best. I would always be interested in your progress.

[GP24]

The bleeding will not result from Lu177. Does your husband take blood-thinners like Xarelto, Pradaxa, Eliquis or Lixiana? The catheter may have caused a wound which does not heal.

[FionaElbourne in reply to GP24]

thanks no he doesn’t take and thinners. He has had the odd bleeding from the cathetar but it stops after a couple of hours if he’s been doing too much walking or excercise. This bleeding is constant and very thick bleeding for last 10 days.

[Proflac]

Glad you got the LU. Which centre did you use? I assume private. Sorry to hear about the bleeding. Another challenge for you both. Can't offer any advice but hoping he gets some relief soon. Take care of yourself too. Xx

[FionaElbourne in reply to Proflac]

Thanks, we are using the Wellington hospital in London, it was an easier journey than Berlin and both were a similar cost around £12000 per treatment, hopefully we get the bleeding stopped before the 2nd one. My husband really liked the consultant so that was a big plus for London.

[Proflac in reply to FionaElbourne]

Thanks for replying re the Wellington. I see TA has helped with a suggestion re the bleeding. Hope it gets sorted soon. Good luck. Keep us posted if you can.

[mgaa in reply to FionaElbourne]

FionaElbourne is is £12000 per one session or for the whole treatment course ? and is there any additional costs ?

per my understanding the course could be something between 4-6 sessions.

I'm asking as I'm living nearby that hospital and was thinking about bringing my dad from overseas here for that treatment.

Thanks a lot for you and good luck

[FionaElbourne in reply to mgaa]

it is £12200 per course and 3 to 6 is what they expect you to need, you also have to pay £2600 for the PET scan before the first treatment and potentially after the 3rd and 6th. You also pay for consultations which in our case was £350 per meeting. We have only had one so far, you need your oncologist locally to refer you and send all previous scans and medical history. I hope that helps you.

[mgaa in reply to FionaElbourne]

That's very helpful, Thanks a lot for you and my best wishes

[db1966]

hi Fiona sorry to hear about hubby and the challenges he is experiencing. I am 2 treatments in and have not experienced blood loss and neither have any of my fellow LU 177 warriors. It must be to do with the catheter. If he can get this figured out I’m sure you will find the treatment will work plan and help with pain reduction ( if any).

Best to you both.

Dermot

[FionaElbourne in reply to db1966]

thanks they are scanning him in the morning so hopefully we will know more after that.

[Tall_Allen]

My guess is that the bleeding is probably caused by the Pluvicto creating necrosis in the tumor tissue that has penetrated into nearby tissue. They should be able to see that. If so, radiation may may it worse, not better. Have you discussed prostatectomy or even cystoprostectomy instead?

[FionaElbourne in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for your reply, no that hasn’t been mentioned but I will certainly ask tomorrow before he starts radiotherapy. We asked about removing the prostate when the bladder problems started in January and were advised that was not possible.

[cancervictim]

My husband started to get hematuria requiring a catheter following his fourth Lu 177. The trial lead, Dr. Saad from Montreal assured him that the hematuria was in no way related to the Lu. His uro-ncologist believes that he has radiation cystitis cause by adjuvant RT post RP over 5 years ago. After 8 days, they removed the catheter as there had been no blood for several days but 2 days later, he developed another clot requiring re-insertion of the catheter. I think we'll be starting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy soon. My husband has had a complete response to the LU which is amazing news but living with a catheter sure affects his quality of life.

[FionaElbourne in reply to cancervictim]

Thankyou, I will discuss this with the consultant. the cathetar has been in for 4 months and has had a big impact on his quality of life.

[bglendi53]

I have completed two sessions of Pluvicto and am fairing pretty well so far, other than fatigue. Did they install the catheter because of the bleeding, or for some other reason?

I'm also taking Xtandi and of course Lupron every three months.

[john4803 in reply to bglendi53]

I have also finished my 2nd LU177 treatment, as part of the Eclipse Trial. Had a little constipation & reduced appetite, for 4 days, following my 2nd treatment but no bleeding or anything else. PSA went from 2.0 to 0.3! Quite pleased so far!

[Ausi]

I also had bleeding. I was on a trial drug 177Lu J591. The J591 is an antibody. The clotting was so bad I ended up in hospital for 2 weeks. My platelets dropped to 15 which the urologist thought was the reason for the clotting. I had catheters, irrigation, cystoscopic operation. My trial oncologist reckoned the dosage was too much as others on the trial also were hospitalised. I had to continue with the catheter even after hospital and after platelet count was back to normal. It can still cause bleeding after exercise and constipation. Fortunately, after 4 months it’s gone, I was able to pee again. Good luck

[FionaElbourne in reply to Ausi]

Thankyou for sharing this, were you able to continue with Lu177. His platelets are 21 at the moment so not too bad.

[Ausi in reply to FionaElbourne]

The trial was for only 2 doses, the second being twice as much as the first. The platelet level of 21 is too low. The levels should be greater than 150. About 6 weeks after coming out of hospital mine recovered to 220. When the trials oncologist noticed the drop I had a couple of bags (intravenous) of platelets soon after the 2nd 177Lu J591dose and then also a few bags when in hospital. I went to hospital (emergency) because clotting blocked my urethra, I couldn’t pee.

My Urologist told me that platelets causes the blood tissues around the bladder to clot up thus stopping the blood vessels from bleeding.

[FionaElbourne in reply to Ausi]

thanks I’ll get the bloods done again as 21 was pre the transfusion on Friday.