How Often Do PRRT Cancer Patients Need Emergency Care Within a Week of Treatment? | Research

The takeaway

Unplanned emergency or inpatient visits within 7 days of PRRT infusion were characterized, leading to a radioprotection safety protocol.

7 days
Window after PRRT during which unplanned acute care events were tracked and radioprotection protocols applied

What the researchers found

Unplanned acute care within 7 days of PRRT was characterized in frequency, and a comprehensive radioprotection SOP was developed for these situations.

Why it matters

Patients arriving at ERs after PRRT pose radiation safety challenges — having clear protocols protects both patients and healthcare workers.

The numbers in context

232 patients, 814 infusions; 58% Lutathera, 42% Pluvicto; 19 patients (8%) needed unplanned acute care; 2% of infusions led to ED visits.

How the study worked

Retrospective chart review of PRRT patients with development of multidisciplinary radioprotection standard operating procedures.

Who was studied

Cancer patients receiving PRRT (Lutathera or Pluvicto)

What this study cannot tell us

Single-center retrospective review — frequency data may not generalize to all PRRT programs.

How to read the evidence

Retrospective review with protocol development — practical safety contribution but limited generalizability.

When this study was published

Published in 2025, addressing safety gaps as PRRT becomes more widely used.

The bigger picture

As PRRT use grows, hospitals need standardized safety protocols for the inevitable unplanned acute care visits by radioactive patients.

Questions still open

Should all hospitals with ERs near PRRT centers have radioprotection protocols?
Can pre-PRRT screening reduce unplanned acute care rates?

Common questions

Is PRRT dangerous for patients?

PRRT is generally well-tolerated but some patients need unplanned medical care within a week. Special radiation safety measures are needed since patients remain mildly radioactive.

Why is radioprotection important after PRRT?

Patients treated with radioactive peptides can still emit low levels of radiation for days, requiring special handling if they visit emergency departments.

Read the original research

Unplanned Emergency Department or Inpatient Acute Care Within 1 Week After Administration of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Frequency of Occurrence and Standard Operating Procedures for Radioprotection in These Situations.

Practical radiation oncology, 15(2), e109-e114

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Prabhu, Roshan S; Russek, Rachel; McBride, James E; Price, Karen B; Garland, Danielle N; Franklin, Elizabeth; McHaffie, Derek R; Ward, Matthew C; Rowland, Chelsea L; Huffstetler, Courtney E; Hicks, Amy S. (2025). Unplanned Emergency Department or Inpatient Acute Care Within 1 Week After Administration of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Frequency of Occurrence and Standard Operating Procedures for Radioprotection in These Situations.. Practical radiation oncology, 15(2), e109-e114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2024.07.002