PRRT side effects and results

Posted by sophiarose @sophiarose, Jul 20, 2024

After my 2nd PRRT treatment I started having out of control erratic BP and Pulse also Heart skipping beats. I can’t touch my head or temples without pain it feels like my head is in a vise grip
I also did MRI of abdomen and pelvis tumors are still growing and multiplying
Has anyone else had this happen
Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) Support Group.

@itsamarathon2025

Just here to share my story and hopefully help others. I was diagnosed at 57 with stage 4 Grade 2/3 Pancreatic NETS that had metastasized to my liver and lymph nodes in the area. I had about 20 tumors in my liver but the Cancer had not spread anywhere else. One of the Liver lesions was 4x7cm. I did a 5 month course of Lanreotide but I think that was a waste of time... my Cancer continued to Progress. Fortunately I live near Portland, Oregon and the OHSU Medical Center. I was incredibly lucky to qualify for a Phase 2 Clinical Trial sponsored by a German Entity going on at OHSU. Here is a link for more info and the website says they are still recruiting. Furthermore, this same Clinical Trial is being performed at other Medical Centers throughout the country... there's a list on the OHSU website. I was informed i'm not allowed to post the Url/link on here but search OHSU Clinical Trials, Hit the box that says "Interested in Clinical Trials" and then type in PRRT.
The Trial is specifically for those with GNETs and PNET's. I then got extremely lucky through randomization which is how they divide those in the trial: You're either randomized to receive PRRT - LUT-77 or the Standard Method of Care which i believe is Captem. (Chemotherapy). I just completed my 3rd treatment. My first 2 treatments I had no side effects accept just a little tired. Blood work and Kidney Function looked good after 2 treatments. 2 weeks after my second treatment I had Scan performed and my Oncologist told me I was responding,.. almost 25% of my Cancer had reduced and my tumors were shrinking. That's only after 2 treatments 1 year after being diagnosed. I just finished my 3rd treatment and besides a little diarrhea and fatigue for a few days I feel good. Next scans in mid-June so hoping it continues to work and doesn't metastasize. They say if you respond after 2 or 3 treatments then there's a very good chance it's going to turn out well. This clinical trial gives 6 PRRT Treatments instead of 4 so there is risk involved but it could make a big difference. I'm very cognizant however that anything can change at anytime. Don't spend your time reading about Case Study Results online. It won't serve you well. The personal accounts in this forum is great; but in general i would avoid reading about survival rates, etc. ... everyone responds very different. I'm new on this forum so i'll check in regularly and feel free to reply if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions.

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I just finished my 4th PRRT Treatment, after the 2nd treatment the scan showed no new tumors or Growth, some were actually shrinking.. Praying for more of the same , next scan is end of June..

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@vinnie694

I just finished my 4th PRRT Treatment, after the 2nd treatment the scan showed no new tumors or Growth, some were actually shrinking.. Praying for more of the same , next scan is end of June..

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How wonderful, @vinnie694! I look forward to hearing from you again after your scan at the end of June. What type of scan do you have? Is the GA 68 Gallium or another type?

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@vinnie694

I just finished my 4th PRRT Treatment, after the 2nd treatment the scan showed no new tumors or Growth, some were actually shrinking.. Praying for more of the same , next scan is end of June..

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You’re one treatment ahead of me. I have another Scan June 30th… and the another treatment July 15. My treatments are now 7 weeks apart and 6 total as I mentioned. If you aren’t having many symptoms I think it’s a good sign you’re responding well. I’ve had no issues on treatment day except treatment 3 the other day was more intense. My face got pretty warm and numb and it lasted a few hours instead of 45 min. Like 1 & 2. I also had some chills for about 30 min but it all went away. Slept pretty much the next day and felt normal day 3 and 4 after. I have no pain and have never had pain accept one the beginning when I needed a stent out in the main hepatic duct. How about you? Do you have a stent? Experience any more intensity on PRRT round 3 or 4. I appreciate your feedback.

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@itsamarathon2025

You’re one treatment ahead of me. I have another Scan June 30th… and the another treatment July 15. My treatments are now 7 weeks apart and 6 total as I mentioned. If you aren’t having many symptoms I think it’s a good sign you’re responding well. I’ve had no issues on treatment day except treatment 3 the other day was more intense. My face got pretty warm and numb and it lasted a few hours instead of 45 min. Like 1 & 2. I also had some chills for about 30 min but it all went away. Slept pretty much the next day and felt normal day 3 and 4 after. I have no pain and have never had pain accept one the beginning when I needed a stent out in the main hepatic duct. How about you? Do you have a stent? Experience any more intensity on PRRT round 3 or 4. I appreciate your feedback.

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My treatments were different I had 4 and they were 8 weeks apart
Except for after my 2nd I had a lot of ongoing dizzy spells
So they did a lot of tests and I continued again for the last 2 treatments
The fatigue was the worst
My last scans came back good no new growth and some shrinkage I get rescanned in July
Hopefully it continues
I am on Ocreotide every 28 days and do have some side effects from that but I am moving ahead
Please keep me posted
Good luck

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@sophiarose

My treatments were different I had 4 and they were 8 weeks apart
Except for after my 2nd I had a lot of ongoing dizzy spells
So they did a lot of tests and I continued again for the last 2 treatments
The fatigue was the worst
My last scans came back good no new growth and some shrinkage I get rescanned in July
Hopefully it continues
I am on Ocreotide every 28 days and do have some side effects from that but I am moving ahead
Please keep me posted
Good luck

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It is so good to hear from you, @sophiarose. I'm glad to hear of the success you have had from the PRRT treatments. I'm sure you will be glad to get the results from the scan in July. Like you, I hope you get a good report regarding shrinkage.

You mentioned that you have had some side effects from the Octreotide. Could you share about that and if the side effects have lessened over time?

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@itsamarathon2025

You’re one treatment ahead of me. I have another Scan June 30th… and the another treatment July 15. My treatments are now 7 weeks apart and 6 total as I mentioned. If you aren’t having many symptoms I think it’s a good sign you’re responding well. I’ve had no issues on treatment day except treatment 3 the other day was more intense. My face got pretty warm and numb and it lasted a few hours instead of 45 min. Like 1 & 2. I also had some chills for about 30 min but it all went away. Slept pretty much the next day and felt normal day 3 and 4 after. I have no pain and have never had pain accept one the beginning when I needed a stent out in the main hepatic duct. How about you? Do you have a stent? Experience any more intensity on PRRT round 3 or 4. I appreciate your feedback.

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I do not have a stent, the PRRT treatment I received was called Lutathera, all 4 treatments went well. I first receive an injection to help with nausea, then they start an amino acid drip in one arm, to protect the kidneys and other vital organs. Then after 30-40 minutes after they start the Lutathera drip in the other arm, usually about 20 minutes, after they continue the amino acid drip for another 2 1/2 hours. The only side effects I ever had was tired for a few days. But an hour after the treatment I receive my Ocreotide shots, (for carcinoid syndrome)which I get a severe respiratory reaction to, so I take a double dose of Benadryl before I get the shots, that also makes me tired.. 🥱 .. what is the name of the PRRT treatment you receive?

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@hopeful33250

How wonderful, @vinnie694! I look forward to hearing from you again after your scan at the end of June. What type of scan do you have? Is the GA 68 Gallium or another type?

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I will be getting a MRI, in June, and. Pet scan in July.

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@vinnie694: As I recall there was an Alpha PRRT vs. Afinator type Chemo pill and you were chosen for the pill. I could be wrong, but I am interested in your experience.
I am glad to learn your Lutathera infusions were tolerated well and you are getting the tumor stability you need; as well as the tumor shrinkage too! Please post your June/July scan results so we can celebrate with you.
I am so curious about the Alpha PRRT trial experience for our future treatment option. Best…

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@itsamarathon2025

Just here to share my story and hopefully help others. I was diagnosed at 57 with stage 4 Grade 2/3 Pancreatic NETS that had metastasized to my liver and lymph nodes in the area. I had about 20 tumors in my liver but the Cancer had not spread anywhere else. One of the Liver lesions was 4x7cm. I did a 5 month course of Lanreotide but I think that was a waste of time... my Cancer continued to Progress. Fortunately I live near Portland, Oregon and the OHSU Medical Center. I was incredibly lucky to qualify for a Phase 2 Clinical Trial sponsored by a German Entity going on at OHSU. Here is a link for more info and the website says they are still recruiting. Furthermore, this same Clinical Trial is being performed at other Medical Centers throughout the country... there's a list on the OHSU website. I was informed i'm not allowed to post the Url/link on here but search OHSU Clinical Trials, Hit the box that says "Interested in Clinical Trials" and then type in PRRT.
The Trial is specifically for those with GNETs and PNET's. I then got extremely lucky through randomization which is how they divide those in the trial: You're either randomized to receive PRRT - LUT-77 or the Standard Method of Care which i believe is Captem. (Chemotherapy). I just completed my 3rd treatment. My first 2 treatments I had no side effects accept just a little tired. Blood work and Kidney Function looked good after 2 treatments. 2 weeks after my second treatment I had Scan performed and my Oncologist told me I was responding,.. almost 25% of my Cancer had reduced and my tumors were shrinking. That's only after 2 treatments 1 year after being diagnosed. I just finished my 3rd treatment and besides a little diarrhea and fatigue for a few days I feel good. Next scans in mid-June so hoping it continues to work and doesn't metastasize. They say if you respond after 2 or 3 treatments then there's a very good chance it's going to turn out well. This clinical trial gives 6 PRRT Treatments instead of 4 so there is risk involved but it could make a big difference. I'm very cognizant however that anything can change at anytime. Don't spend your time reading about Case Study Results online. It won't serve you well. The personal accounts in this forum is great; but in general i would avoid reading about survival rates, etc. ... everyone responds very different. I'm new on this forum so i'll check in regularly and feel free to reply if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions.

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I have a small just discovered carcinoid tumor on my mesentery, considered in operable would you think that prrt would take care of that.
thanks
Paul

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@itsamarathon2025

Just here to share my story and hopefully help others. I was diagnosed at 57 with stage 4 Grade 2/3 Pancreatic NETS that had metastasized to my liver and lymph nodes in the area. I had about 20 tumors in my liver but the Cancer had not spread anywhere else. One of the Liver lesions was 4x7cm. I did a 5 month course of Lanreotide but I think that was a waste of time... my Cancer continued to Progress. Fortunately I live near Portland, Oregon and the OHSU Medical Center. I was incredibly lucky to qualify for a Phase 2 Clinical Trial sponsored by a German Entity going on at OHSU. Here is a link for more info and the website says they are still recruiting. Furthermore, this same Clinical Trial is being performed at other Medical Centers throughout the country... there's a list on the OHSU website. I was informed i'm not allowed to post the Url/link on here but search OHSU Clinical Trials, Hit the box that says "Interested in Clinical Trials" and then type in PRRT.
The Trial is specifically for those with GNETs and PNET's. I then got extremely lucky through randomization which is how they divide those in the trial: You're either randomized to receive PRRT - LUT-77 or the Standard Method of Care which i believe is Captem. (Chemotherapy). I just completed my 3rd treatment. My first 2 treatments I had no side effects accept just a little tired. Blood work and Kidney Function looked good after 2 treatments. 2 weeks after my second treatment I had Scan performed and my Oncologist told me I was responding,.. almost 25% of my Cancer had reduced and my tumors were shrinking. That's only after 2 treatments 1 year after being diagnosed. I just finished my 3rd treatment and besides a little diarrhea and fatigue for a few days I feel good. Next scans in mid-June so hoping it continues to work and doesn't metastasize. They say if you respond after 2 or 3 treatments then there's a very good chance it's going to turn out well. This clinical trial gives 6 PRRT Treatments instead of 4 so there is risk involved but it could make a big difference. I'm very cognizant however that anything can change at anytime. Don't spend your time reading about Case Study Results online. It won't serve you well. The personal accounts in this forum is great; but in general i would avoid reading about survival rates, etc. ... everyone responds very different. I'm new on this forum so i'll check in regularly and feel free to reply if you have any comments, suggestions, or questions.

Jump to this post

Glad you are well. Had 4 prrt treatments May-Nov, wish it was 6 like you are having. 5 months after last treatment scans showed tumor still shrinking but hypoglycemia symptoms started to recur. Had distal pancreatectomy and the plan is to start cabozantinib in June. Ideally i would probably choose more prrt with alpha particles but i guess actinium 225 is in short supply.

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