Why an individual hospital estimate comes first
For international self-paying patients, a useful German quotation is normally prepared after the medical records have been reviewed and the responsible clinical team has defined the expected treatment. The estimate may require advance payment and can later change if the actual treatment episode differs from the original plan.
- Medical-record review
- Defined treatment plan
- Written cost estimate
- Advance payment when required
- Additional services if the clinical course changes
- Final invoice after treatment
The cost question starts with PRRT eligibility
Ulm states that sufficient somatostatin-receptor expression and adequate liver, kidney and bone-marrow function are prerequisites for receptor-targeted radionuclide therapy. If the German team needs additional imaging, pathology review or laboratory assessment before confirming treatment, those steps become part of the financial pathway.
Major PRRT cost drivers
The relevant quotation is the complete treatment episode, not the price of the radioactive medicine alone.
- Nuclear-medicine and NET specialist review
- Somatostatin-receptor PET/CT or other eligibility imaging when required
- Blood counts and kidney/liver function tests
- Selected radiopharmaceutical and treatment protocol
- Number of planned PRRT cycles
- Hospital or monitored treatment requirements for each cycle
- Kidney-protection and supportive medication used by the center
- Laboratory monitoring between cycles
- Response imaging and multidisciplinary follow-up
- Additional care if the clinical plan changes
Do not calculate the course by multiplying an internet cycle price
PRRT protocols and the number of treatment visits are clinical decisions. A useful German estimate should state the assumed treatment course and explain how billing changes if treatment stops early, an additional cycle is considered or the patient needs extra diagnostics or supportive care.
Repeated travel can be a major non-hospital expense
International patients may need several trips to Germany or a longer stay depending on the treatment schedule and follow-up plan. Ask separately about accommodation, companion costs, local transport and whether interval blood tests or imaging can be completed safely in the home country.
Ask for inclusions and exclusions in writing
Before transferring an advance payment, confirm whether the estimate includes eligibility imaging, all assumed PRRT cycles, laboratory monitoring, supportive medication and early follow-up. Keep the hospital's written estimate together with its payment and final-settlement terms.
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-30. Cost procedures and published service fees can change, so confirm current terms directly with the provider before transferring money or booking travel.
- PRRT therapy with Lu-177 DOTATATE — Ulm University Hospital ↗
- International patients – individual estimate and advance-payment pathway — Ulm University Hospital ↗
- PRRT / Lutathera or DOTATOC therapy — Heidelberg University Hospital ↗
- Radiopeptide therapy for somatostatin-receptor-positive tumors — University Hospital Essen ↗