Prostate cancer starts in the prostate gland – a small, walnut-shaped organ just below the bladder. It plays a key role in male reproductive health. The prostate gland produces the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.
Prostate cancer often develops slowly and may not cause immediate problems. However, it can sometimes take an aggressive turn, spreading throughout the body. Aggressive prostate cancer can invade nearby tissues, lymph nodes, bones, or more distant parts of your body.
One of the challenges of prostate cancer is that it may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Over time, you might experience more obvious symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination.
- A weak urine flow.
- Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels can indicate prostate cancer, too.
The problem is that these symptoms can also be from non-cancerous conditions like prostatitis or an enlarged prostate (BPH). This is why regular screenings and advanced imaging techniques have become such important diagnostic tools.
What Is a PSMA PET Scan?
PSMA PET scan stands for prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography. It is an advanced imaging tool designed specifically for prostate cancer.
A PSMA PET scan helps your doctor locate cancer cells in your body with remarkable accuracy. This test uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer that binds to a protein called PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen). Since prostate cancer cells have much more PSMA than normal cells, the tracer lights them up for identification on the scan.
Why Is PSMA Important?
PSMA is a protein found in large amounts on prostate cancer cells but only in small quantities on healthy cells. This makes it an excellent target for both imaging and treatment. By focusing on PSMA, doctors can detect small clusters of cancer cells. Traditional imaging methods, like CT or MRI scans, might miss them.
If your prostate cancer has spread, a PSMA PET scan is very helpful. It is also useful if your PSA levels are rising after treatment and the cancer’s location is unclear.
How Does the PSMA PET Scan Work?
Before the scan, a small amount of the radioactive tracer will be injected into your vein (IV).
After the injection, you’ll wait about 30 to 60 minutes to give the tracer time to travel through your bloodstream and bind to PSMA.
During the scan, you’ll lie still on a table as the PET scanner captures images of your body. This part of the procedure is painless and takes about 20 to 40 minutes.
The tracer highlights areas where cancer cells are present, giving your doctor a detailed map to guide your treatment.
Who Might Benefit from a PSMA PET Scan?
A PSMA PET scan is typically recommended in the following situations:
Checking for cancer spread
If you have prostate cancer, a PSMA PET scan can help determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body, like bones or lymph nodes. When cancer spreads, surgery or radiation may not be enough. Whole-body treatments, like chemotherapy, might be needed instead.
Detecting cancer’s return
If you’ve already had surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer but your PSA level is rising, this could mean the cancer has returned. A PSMA PET scan can help pinpoint where the cancer is, allowing you and your doctor to decide the best course of action for further treatment.
Eligibility for targeted PSMA therapy
If your prostate cancer has advanced despite treatments, a PSMA PET scan can check for high PSMA levels in your cancer cells. This is important because a treatment called Pluvicto is now available to target PSMA-expressing cancer cells. A radiation oncologist or nuclear medicine specialist gives this treatment.
If your scan shows little or no PSMA on your cancer cells, this treatment likely wouldn’t be effective.
If you have prostate cancer or rising PSA levels, a PSMA PET scan could help. It can provide valuable information about your cancer and help guide treatment.
Talk to one of our specialists about whether this advanced imaging technique is right for your situation.
PSMA PET Scan FAQs
1. Are PSMA PET scans safe?
Yes, they are generally safe. The radioactive tracer used involves minimal radiation exposure. Your doctor will carefully weigh the benefits of the scan against any potential risks to your health.
2. How is a PSMA PET scan different from other imaging tests?
PSMA PET scans are more sensitive and specific for prostate cancer than traditional imaging like CT or bone scans. They can detect cancer in areas that other methods might miss.
3. Are all prostate cancers detectable by PSMA PET scan?
A small percentage of prostate cancers don’t produce the PSMA protein, so a PSMA PET scan can’t detect them.
