Radium 223
317 views · Published 17 February 2014 · 2:24 · Indexed 11 October 2026
Channel: WLOS News 13 · 2014 · News & Politics
A man in Western North Carolina is likely the first to receive Radium 223 for recurring prostate cancer. That's a new drug approved by the FDA only a few months ago.As News 13's Jay Siltzer explains in this special Health Alert, even though it's not a cure, it is providing hope.We have a safe where the isotope is locked up, comes in a box like this.That isotope is Radium 223, which some patients in Western North Carolina are now receiving for recurring prostate cancer.Glenn Reetz, patient, periodically, I might have a pain, but nothing sustained. Nothing that is debilitating at all.Still, 87-year-old Glenn Reetz discusses receiving Radium 223 with Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Charles Thomas, at 21st Century Oncology in Clyde.That's because Reetz has battled prostate cancer for 18 years and has tried several therapies that have eventually failed. Receiving Radium 223 intravenously is a last option.Glenn, I'm hopeful it will keep me alive with a good quality of life for however long.Dr. Charles Thomas, 21st Century Oncology, it is the first medicine of its type for prostate cancer that has a survival benefit as a radioactive isotope.Typically there are 6 treatments, each given about 6 weeks apart, lasting an hour at a time.Dr. Thomas, the radium 223 emits an alpha particle, which is a large particle and it travels the length of only 10 cells. Less than the thickness of a sheet of paper, so it doesn't irradiate other body sites. Glenn, I've had no side effects no nothing from it, it's been very good.It's a last resort for any man battling prostate cancer.Dr. Thomas, this doesn't replace surgery, primary radiation, hormonal therapy is still the mainstay for metastatic prostate cancer, but this is hopefully a low-toxic method that a man can live longer and spend more time with his family.Potentially living long enough to die of something other than cancer.Studies show more and more people are living for years, even decades, managing their cancer rather than expecting a cure. _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/News13/ WLOS ABC 13 News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wlos_13 Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Channel/?sub_confirmation=1 Listen to AnchorMOMS, the Podcast: https://wlos.com/news/anchormoms/anchormoms-the-podcast Watch more top local news stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk8Ge6UXHJs&list=PLkVbaoT-aYbIvnEpR0Ct5QQQqYaORUSUH For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.wlos.com Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954.
