Stage 4 prostate cancer

Dear SLJ66

Thank you for getting in touch with us at Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists.

From your question I have understood that the locum consultant has mentioned radium 223 but had no further knowledge of how to access it for your husband. We often find we can help people more by speaking to them directly. This helps us to fully understand the circumstances and tailor our information. If you would like to get in touch, please do give us a call on the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 or via webchat. I have posted some general information below on radium 223 that I hope will be helpful.

Radium 223 is a type of internal radiotherapy treatment that can shrink areas of cancer cells that have spread to the bones. It can help with symptoms such as pain. The latest NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance that I can find was published in 2016. Since then, there have been some changes in the recommendations due to side effects of radium 223 in some circumstances. As with may treatments there are specific criteria as to who may benefit from the treatment. For the current guidance we would always suggest speaking to your husband’s cancer team.  If you would like to look at the general information it is in the following links. Please bear in mind that this information is aimed at healthcare professionals.

NICE - Radium-223 dichloride for treating hormone-relapsed prostate cancer with bone metastases (2016)

Xofigo▼ (radium-223-dichloride): new restrictions on use due to increased risk of fracture and trend for increased mortality seen in clinical trial (2018)

From the information I can find it looks as though radium 223 is available in Wales to men who meet the criteria. For example Velindre Cancer Centre has information about radium 223 on their website here. These criteria may include the exact diagnosis and whether your husband has had, or is currently having docetaxel chemotherapy. The information from Prostate Cancer UK – Radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer also has a section on radium 223. As guidance and local policy and availability can change, please do speak further to your husband’s cancer team. If he has a specialist nurse, they may be a good point of initial contact. The Welsh Cancer Support Charity Tenovus may also have more information on availability of radium 223 in Wales.

I hope this information is helpful but do get in touch with us on the support line if you would like to talk things through further.

Best wishes

Penelope

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.

 Ref: PN/KA