Survey Finds Wide Variation in Radiation Guidance
An international survey of centers offering Lu-177 PSMA therapy found radiation precaution advice for patients differs substantially from place to place.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Cancer
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Researchers published a survey in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine finding that guidance on radiation precautions for Lu-177 PSMA therapy varies widely across treatment centers. The study also describes a structured patient information template designed to standardize discharge guidance.
Why it matters
Patients remain radioactive after Lu-177 PSMA therapy, so clear discharge instructions are needed to protect family members, particularly children and pregnant women. The findings point to inconsistent practice that could leave patients unsure how to limit exposure to others.
The web-based survey of 102 participating centers in 23 countries found that 20% of outpatient centers gave no formal distance guidance after treatment, and recommended separation distances ranged from one to three meters for periods of one to seven days. Whether patients follow these measures in practice has not yet been assessed.
The details
The survey, distributed in January 2025 and closed in October 2025, contained 152 questions covering pretreatment, therapy, radiation precautions, and posttreatment procedures, with separate branches for inpatient and outpatient settings. The authors also developed a structured patient information template meant to complement, not replace, existing national regulations and institutional protocols.
Timeline
January 2025: Web-based survey distributed to 186 centers.
October 2025: Survey closed.
November 5, 2026: Study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Big Picture
As Lu-177 PSMA radioligand therapy spreads across international treatment centers, the survey shows post-treatment radiation guidance has not yet been standardized, and the proposed patient information template is an attempt to close that gap.
Patients receiving Lu-177 PSMA therapy may be told to keep their distance from others for a period of days after treatment, and the amount of guidance they receive depends on where they are treated. Asking the treating center for written discharge instructions, including how long to keep distance from children and pregnant women, is a practical step.
The takeaway
Patients undergoing Lu-177 PSMA therapy should ask their care team for written instructions on how to protect family members during the days after treatment. Where guidance is missing, requesting it directly can help avoid unintended radiation exposure at home.
Further reading
For more on the cancer treatments discussed here, see Cancer coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AuntMinnie.
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