223Radium Xofigo Information for patients and families Read this information to learn: what 223 radium Xofigo is instructions to follow during and after your treatment about possible side effects who to call if you have any questions or concerns Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca 2017 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: JDMI Medical Imaging Revised: 11/2017 Form: D-5997
What is 223 radium Xofigo? 223 Radium Xofigo is a medicine that is radioactive. It s used to treat cancer. You were injected with 223 radium Xofigo because you and your doctor decided it would be the best treatment for you. Your treatment schedule for 223 radium Xofigo is: Radium injection Date and time Comments: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patient name Medical record number 2
Follow these instructions for 1 week after your 223 radium Xofigo treatment: You can be around your friends and family as usual, but avoid long visits (longer than 4 hours) with pregnant women and small children. Wash your hands very well after using the toilet. Sit on the toilet when you urinate and close the lid when you flush. Flush the toilet twice after each time you use it. Clean any urine spills, vomit or any other body fluid right away using rubber gloves. Get rid of the material you use to clean it by flushing it down the toilet or placing it in a plastic bag. Use a condom when having sex. Use disposable underwear or adult diapers if you have diarrhea or urinary incontinence (leaking urine). Wash any clothes that have your urine, stool or blood on it separately. If you have to go to a doctor, emergency room or need surgery within 3 days of a treatment, tell medical staff that you have a small amount of radiation in your body. Follow these instructions for as long as you are being treated: Go to all of your appointments that check your blood cell counts. Drink lots of fluids Any leftover radioactive medicine in your body may set off security alarms at border crossings. Tell the nuclear medicine department if you plan to leave Canada within 1 month of a treatment. They will give you a letter to explain your treatment to border officers. 3
Are there any side effects? 223 Radium Xofigo can cause low blood cell levels. Tell your health care provider if you: are short of breath are tired have bleeding (such as bruising) have signs of infection (like a fever) Talk to your doctor if you often: have a dry mouth feel thirsty have problems when you urinate (for example, you have a burning feeling) After your treatment, you may also have: nausea diarrhea vomiting swelling in your arms and legs Talk to your doctor as soon as you have any of these side effects. 4
Who can I call if I have any medical questions or concerns? Call the triage line at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Phone: 416 946 2233 Listen to the recording and press 2 to leave a message. In your message, slowly and clearly say: your name your health card (OHIP) what your question or concern is your daytime phone number Messages are checked Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm and are returned within 48 hours. Calls left after 4:00 pm will be returned the next business day. Weekends and after hours: Please call Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at 416 946 2000 and ask for the nursing supervisor or doctor on call. For medical emergencies: Go to your local emergency department or the emergency department at Toronto General Hospital. Princess Margaret does not have an emergency department. 5
Oncologists Dr. Aaron Hansen Christina Capobianco Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 4501, extension 5606 Dr. Fallah-Rad Nancy Vukovic Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 4501, extension 2662 Dr. Jennifer Knox Anna (Ann) Riga Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 4501, extension 2399 Dr. Srikala Sridhar Nancy Vukovic Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 4501, extension 2662 Dr. Charles Catton Jacqueline Maitland Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 2983 Fax: 416 946 4586 Dr. Elena Elimova Katty MacLean Administrative Assistant Phone: 416 946 4501. Extension 2520 Who can I call if I have a radiation emergency or concerns? Please call the Radiation Safety Office at 416 340 4801. 6