The following is a transcript of the audio from the “What to expect from a PSMA-PET scan” video. Please see the video itself for onscreen text and graphics.
SPEAKER:
Do you have advanced prostate cancer?
There's something you may want to know about. It's called a PSMA-PET scan.
It's a cancer-scanning technology that uses directed radiation to track down prostate cancer cells anywhere in your body. You see, PSMA stands for prostate-specific membrane antigen. It's a protein that is found in high amounts on the surface of some prostate cancer cells. Over 80% of men with prostate cancer have high levels of PSMA. PET stands for positron emission tomography, an imaging technology that uses radioactive tracers to visualize and measure cancer activity throughout the body. With the help of a specialized camera and a molecule attached to a radioactive particle, a PSMA-PET scan can locate cancer cells that have high amounts of the PSMA protein.
Locating these cells not only lights up where those cells with high amounts of the PSMA protein are present but also provides your health care team information that may help them determine an appropriate treatment plan for you. If you're scheduled to receive a PSMA-PET scan, you're taking part in modern imaging technology. Talk to your doctor about the risk of radiation associated with this scan.
Before your scan, you'll receive an injection that will release the PSMA-locating molecules with an attached radioactive particle into your bloodstream.
These radioactive molecules use the bloodstream to travel throughout the body and bind to PSMA on the surface of PSMA-positive tumor cells. It will take some time for the molecules to travel through your body and bind to the PSMA protein markers. You will then be brought into another room where the PET scan machine is located. It looks like a large ring standing on its side.
You'll lie on a table that slides automatically through the opening of the machine, which is somewhat wider than an MRI machine. The actual scan lasts about 30 minutes.
Your doctor will follow up with you to review the results of the PSMA-PET scan. Your health care team is experienced with all aspects of the PSMA-PET scan. They are dedicated to your health and well-being and will provide information about the procedure and what to expect following your scan.
As you wait for your scan results, it may help if you try to stick to your usual routine. Share your thoughts and feelings with friends and family. You may want to find time and plan for activities that are important and meaningful to you.
Remember, a PSMA-PET scan is an advanced tool that may help doctors as they develop a treatment plan that is appropriate for you.
For more information about prostate cancer, please consider contacting the following groups.
US Patient Organizations:
Prostate Health Education Network
www.prostatehealthed.org
ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer
www.zerocancer.org
Cancer ABCs
www.cancerabcs.org
National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions
www.naspcc.org
Answer Cancer Foundation
www.ancan.org
Malecare
www.malecare.org
Prostate Cancer Research Institute
www.pcri.org
Prostate Cancer Foundation
www.pcf.org
This list is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a recommendation or endorsement of any organization.
If you'd like to learn more about PSMA, visit scanforpsma.com.