210 Theranostics

Theranostics is an advanced approach to cancer treatment. Using radioactive medicine called radiopharmaceuticals, theranostics combines diagnostic imaging and therapy to provide cancer treatment to those who have not responded to hormonal or surgical treatments or who have complex metastases where cancer has spread to multiple sites throughout the body.

Radiopharmaceuticals have two parts: a targeting agent and a radioactive agent. The targeting agent binds to a specific target on the tumor cell surface. Then, the radioactive agent releases energy that either creates images (diagnostic imaging) or destroys cancer cells (therapy). As an extension of 210 PET Imaging, we are one of the only community-based theranostic programs in the region and one of only four programs to receive Radiopharmaceutical Therapy accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).

210 Theranostics is brought to you by Raleigh Radiology and WakeMed Health & Hospitals.

How it works

Theranostics is a personalized approach to treating cancer, combining state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities and emerging drug therapies as part of treatment. 210 Theranostics uses the most advanced PET/CT technology available – the Siemens Healthineers Biograph Vision – to detect even the smallest tumors with less exposure to radiation.

If cancer is present and visible on the scan, a radiopharmaceutical is used to treat the tumors. The drug is given as an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion and delivers targeted radiation to kill those cancer cells. Because of its precision, theranostics reduces the risk of harming nearby healthy tissues with fewer, less severe side effects.

Most treatments consist of multiple injections or infusions given several weeks apart with ongoing monitoring by your oncologist and health care provider. Our patient-first approach allows our multidisciplinary teams of nuclear medicine physicians, oncologists, radiologist, nurses and more to treat your cancer effectively and safely without disrupting your quality of life.

What type of cancers can be treated with theranostics?

Several theranostic radiopharmaceuticals are now approved for different types of cancers with additional treatments currently being tested in clinical trials.

However, not every patient is right for theranostics. Your oncologist will determine if theranostics is the right treatment option for you.

Precautions should be taken to limit risks from radiation exposure for the duration of these treatments. Please review the “Before, During & After Treatment” sections of the website for more safety information.