Information for patients
undergoing P-32 therapy
Introduction
This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as P-32 therapy. It also tells you about the
precautions you should take following the procedure. Please read this leaflet and discuss the
situation with your consultant before you sign the consent form. If you have any questions about
the precautions you should take following the procedure, please contact the Nuclear Medicine
Department.
What is P-32 therapy?
P-32 therapy can be an effective treatment for polycythaemia vera and essential
thrombocythaemia. It is a radioisotope that attaches to the bone marrow. The radioactive
particles emitted, act on the bone marrow, reducing the number of blood cells produced.
Why do I need P-32 therapy?
Your bone marrow is producing too many blood cells. P-32 therapy will act on the bone marrow
to reduce this production.
Are there any alternative treatment options?
Your consultant will have decided that this is the best treatment option. You will also have the
opportunity to discuss the treatment with your doctor. If you do not want the procedure carried
out, you can decide against it.
Who will be performing the P-32 therapy?
A senior medical technologist from the Nuclear Medicine Department, who is experienced in
giving P-32 therapy, will carry out the procedure.
Where will the procedure take place?
The procedure will take place in a special room for giving radioisotopes in the Nuclear Medicine
Department at the Royal Derby Hospital.
How do I prepare for the P-32 therapy?
You must not be pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also read and be familiar with the
precautions you should take following the procedure.
What actually happens during P-32 therapy?
The procedure involves an injection. It will take only a few minutes. It will hurt no more than any
other injection.
What do I need to do after the procedure?
During the first week after your injection, P-32 will be present in your blood and urine. To avoid
other people being exposed to P-32 the following precautions should be taken for 1 week:
•
For men, where a normal toilet is available it should be used in preference to a urinal.
•
Toilets should be flushed twice after use.
•
Wipe up any spilled urine with a tissue and flush it away.
•
Ensure that you always wash your hands after using the toilet.
•
Immediately wash any linen or clothes that become stained with urine. Wash them
separately from other clothes and rinse them thoroughly.
•
If you use any urine collection device, take advice on its use from your hospital doctor.
•
If you should cut yourself, wash away the spilled blood.
Are there any risks involved in having P-32 therapy to my family and
friends?
P-32’s effect will be limited to your body so it will not cause any harm to other people through
close contact. Observing the precautions above will remove any unnecessary hazard presented
to your family and friends from spilled urine and blood.
Are there any risks involved in having P-32 therapy?
There is a small risk of leukemia occurring as a result of P-32 therapy. This risk is also present
with other forms of treatment such as chemotherapy. Research does however show that these
2 treatments result in longer life spans compared with alternative treatments such as
phlebotomy.
The usual risks apply as with any ordinary injection. Precautions are taken to avoid the
P-32 leaking into the skin at the point of injection. Whilst this is extremely unlikely to occur, any
significant leakage could cause a burn to the skin.
There is a risk that P-32 could cause harm to the fetus or breastfed infant children. You must
therefore not be pregnant of breastfeeding.
This leaflet should have answered some of your questions. If you have any queries, or require
further information please discuss them with your doctors. Do satisfy yourself that you have
received enough information about the procedure, before you sign the consent form.
If you have any queries, or require further information please contact
the Nuclear Medicine Department, Royal Derby Hospital on 01332 788197.
Reference Code: P0679/0308/06.2010/VERSION4
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permission in writing from the Patient Information Service, Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. (G10413/12.2006/V3)