Radiopharmaceuticals

Radiopharmaceuticals are a class of therapeutic agents that deliver radiation in either an oral or intravenous route as opposed to an external beam linear accelerator. One example is Radium 223 Dichloride. This is an alpha-particle emitting agent that can be useful for treating metastases in bone. It works by binding with minerals in the bone to deliver radiation directly to bone tumors, limiting the damage to the surrounding normal tissues. This can help treat the cancer and also prevent skeletal events such as bone fractures or bone pain in patients whose cancer has spread to the bone and who have exhausted other forms of treatment. Dr. Kim can help you understand whether radiopharmaceuticals are appropriate for your cancer type.