Advanced Oncology & Radiotherapy
Radium-223 (Xofigo) Therapy
A targeted internal radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. Radium-223 finds and destroys cancer cells in the bone, helping you live longer and reducing pain with minimal impact on healthy tissue.
Key takeaways
- A targeted internal radiotherapy for advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the bones. Radium-223 finds and destroys cancer cells in the bone, helping you live longer and reducing pain with minimal impact on healthy tissue.
- Specialty: Advanced Oncology & Radiotherapy
Bone-targeted
Acts on cancer in the bones
Reduces
May ease deep bone painpain
Outpatient
Given as an injection
Treatment Overview
About Radium-223 (Xofigo) Therapy
Radium-223 (often called Xofigo) is a specialised type of internal radiotherapy used when prostate cancer has spread to the bones. We often describe it as a ‘calcium mimic’ because your body treats the medicine just like the calcium it uses to repair and build bone.
Once injected, the Radium-223 travels through your bloodstream and settles in the areas of your skeleton where the cancer is most active. It then delivers a very precise, high-energy dose of radiation directly to the cancer cells. Because this radiation only travels a tiny distance—the width of just a few cells—it aims to destroy the cancer while leaving your healthy organs and tissues mostly untouched. Your specialist will often use this alongside your regular hormone therapy to ensure you get the best possible results.
Safety Information
Benefits, Risks & Side Effects
01
Benefits
The primary goal of Radium-223 is to give you more quality time and help you live longer. For your day-to-day life, it is excellent at reducing the deep, gnawing bone pain that often comes with advanced cancer.
Better Mobility: By targeting the cancer in your skeleton, it helps you stay mobile and independent.
Reduced Medication: Many men find they can reduce the amount of strong painkillers (like morphine-based drugs) they need.
Bone Protection: It significantly delays serious complications like painful fractures or the need for emergency surgery.
02
Risks
The main thing your medical team will watch out for is your ‘blood counts.’ Because the treatment works inside the bone, it can sometimes slow down the production of new blood cells in your marrow. This might make you feel more tired than usual (anaemia) or make you more prone to bruising or infections.
According to the latest safety standards (following the PEACE-3 trials), there is also a risk of bone fractures if the treatment isn't supported correctly. This is why your consultant will almost always prescribe a ‘bone-protecting’ medicine (such as denosumab or zoledronic acid) to take alongside it. We will monitor you closely with haematology blood tests before every single dose to make sure it is perfectly safe for you to continue.
03
Side Effects
You may experience some mild ‘tummy upset,’ such as diarrhoea or nausea, shortly after your injection. This is usually temporary and can be managed with simple medicine from your GP or oncologist.
A very common experience is a temporary ‘pain flare.’ This is where your bone pain feels a bit sharper for a few days after the very first treatment. Please don’t be alarmed; this is actually a sign that the treatment is reaching the right place and starting to work. Your team will give you clear advice on adjusting your painkillers to keep you comfortable during this short window.
Patient Journey
What to Expect
A step-by-step guide through your Radium-223 (Xofigo) Therapy journey—from preparation and what happens during the procedure to recovery and aftercare.
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Before Procedure
Before you start, you will have a consultation with a specialist Consultant Oncologist.
Blood Monitoring: You will need a fresh blood test about a week before each injection to check your ‘neutrophils’ (infection-fighting cells) and ‘platelets.’
Scans: Your team will review a recent bone scan and CT scan to ensure the cancer is only in the bones and not in your internal organs, where this specific treatment cannot reach.
Medication Review: You will be advised to stop certain calcium supplements shortly before treatment to ensure the Radium-223 is absorbed effectively.
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During Procedure
The injection itself is very quick—usually taking about one minute—and feels no different from a standard blood test.
You will be at the hospital or clinic for about 30 to 60 minutes in total.
You do not need to be in a lead-lined room; you can sit in a normal chair.
Most patients find the appointment very low-stress and can even bring a friend or family member along for company.
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After Procedure
You can head home immediately after your appointment.
Hygiene: For the first week, we ask you to be extra careful with handwashing and to sit down to urinate to prevent any accidental splashes, as the radiation is mostly cleared through your digestive system.
Safety Card: You will be given a ‘Yellow Treatment Card’ to carry in your wallet. This tells any other doctor or dentist you might see that you are currently undergoing radioactive treatment.
Follow-up: We will see you every 4 weeks for your next dose, and your team will check in regularly to see how your pain levels are improving.
Our Commitment
Care you can trust
Every treatment is delivered to the same standard: senior consultants, a personalised plan, and the safety of an accredited private hospital behind you.
Consultant-Led Excellence
Receive evidence-based treatments delivered by senior NHS consultants in a professional, specialist setting.
Personalised Care Plans
Your consultant will design a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your specific health goals and lifestyle.
Hospital-Grade Safety
We operate within leading private hospitals, adhering to strict CQC safety and technology standards.
A Heritage of Trust
Our partners bring decades of NHS and private experience, successfully managing thousands of patient cases.
Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this treatment and what to expect.
3 questions
Yes, you can. The radiation used in Radium-223 (alpha particles) doesn't travel far enough to leave your body and affect people around you.We only suggest avoiding 'very close and prolonged' contact—like sharing a bed or long cuddles—with children or pregnant women for the first 7 days, just as an extra safety measure while the tracer settles.
Reviewed 29 Mar 2026
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Don't worry, life happens! While it's best to stay as close to the 4-week schedule as possible to keep the treatment working effectively, your team can easily reschedule you. The most important thing is that your blood counts are healthy enough for the next dose. Just give your 'neighbourhood cancer lead' or nurse a call.
Reviewed 29 Mar 2026
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Radium-223 is not a cure, but it is a powerful tool for management. We use it to 'control' the cancer, shrink the tumours in the bone, and—most importantly—keep your pain levels down so you can get back to doing the things you love.
Reviewed 29 Mar 2026
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