Sometimes it is a little difficult for doctors to find out exactly where a disease, especially cancer cells, is hidden inside our bodies. So, in times like these, there are special scans and medications that come to the rescue. Today we are going to talk about one such special injection. Its name is a little complicated: Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate. But even though the name is difficult, let's simply understand what it does.
Simply put, what is Gallium Ga 68 Dopate?
This is not really a treatment for cancer. This is a vaccine that helps diagnose the disease, that is, find out exactly what the disease is and where it is . To be precise, there is a type of cancer that develops in the cells that produce things like hormones in our body, which we call neuroendocrine tumors . This vaccine is used as an aid to a special scan (PET scan) that can clearly see where those cancer cells are in the body.
Imagine, these cancer cells inside your body are like a small army of thieves. A normal scan doesn't pick them up. The Gallium Ga 68 Dopamine injection is like a kind of glowing paint that only sticks to these thieves. When this injection is injected into a vein, it travels throughout the body and only sticks to the places where the cancer cells are and emits a signal from there. Then, when you are put into a machine with a special camera (PET scanner), the places where the glowing paint sticks, that is, the places where the cancer cells are, become clearly visible in the scan images. It's like turning on a flashlight to find something in the dark.
The main function of this vaccine is to show the doctor exactly where the cancer cells are. This will be a great help in gaining a better understanding of the disease and planning treatment.
What are the things you need to tell the doctor before getting this vaccine?
As with any medication, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health before getting this vaccine, as that information will help them decide whether it is right for you or not and what precautions you should take.
See the table below. If these apply to you, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Information you need to provide | Why is that? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| If you have a thyroid disease. | The effectiveness of this vaccine may change with certain thyroid conditions. |
| If you have previously had an allergic reaction to this Gallium Dopamine vaccine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives. | If you have had a previous allergic reaction, there is a risk of an allergic reaction to this vaccine as well. So it is important to be aware of that. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby. | This vaccine contains radioactivity, which can harm the unborn baby. Therefore, it is not given during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother. | This medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, it is advised to avoid breastfeeding the baby for 12 hours after receiving the vaccine. |
How is this vaccine given?
This is not a medicine you can take home. This is something that is injected into your vein by a doctor or trained staff in a hospital or clinic .
This is not usually used in children. However, in extreme cases, a doctor may prescribe it for a child for special reasons. In that case, special care is taken.
What to do if you overdose?
This is given under the close supervision of hospital staff, so the chances of this happening are very low. However, if you suspect that something like this has happened, inform them immediately. If necessary, they will contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice, or refer you to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
Other medications that may interact with this vaccine
It is very important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication, as some medications can interfere with the effectiveness of the Gallium Dopamine injection, which could cause incorrect scan results.
Be sure to mention if you are taking any of the following medications:
- Lanreotide
- Octreotide
- Pasireotide
- Steroid medications such as Prednisone or Cortisone
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements) . Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to be aware of and side effects after getting vaccinated
During and after the vaccination, hospital staff will monitor your condition closely.
There are several possible side effects of this vaccine. Some of them can be serious and should be reported immediately. Others usually go away after a while.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to report to your doctor or staff immediately | |
Allergic reactions: Symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. These can become serious very quickly, so report any minor symptoms immediately. | |
| 🙂 Things that are usually nothing to worry about, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Nausea | Vomiting |
Pain, redness, or slight swelling at the injection site. | |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, don't hesitate to ask your doctor about them.
Take-Home Message
- Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate is not a treatment for cancer. It is a diagnostic tool that helps to find where in the body a type of cancer called Neuroendocrine Tumors is located.
- Before receiving this vaccine, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, medications you are taking, and allergies.
- This is given in a hospital by trained staff, so there is no need to be afraid of it.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother, avoid breastfeeding your baby for 12 hours after receiving the vaccine.
- If you experience any allergic symptoms (itching, rash, swelling) after receiving the vaccine, inform the hospital staff immediately .
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