GALIUM-68 PSMA PET/CT SCA

GALIUM-68 PSMA PET/CT SCAN

WHAT IS GALIUM-68 PSMA PET/CT SCAN?

Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men. Staging of prostate cancer to detect the state of the disease can be carried out with various methods such as CT, MRI and bone scintigraphy. However, the Galium-68 PSMA PET CT method can be used to image the entire body and detect the spread of diseased tissue with high sensitivity. Until recently, it has not been possible to observe early metastatic spread to lymph nodes and bone. Galium-68 PSMA PET/CT scan is a new diagnostic technology that assists in locating and determining the extent of prostate cancer. With PSMA scans, therapy can be targeted more directly as it can assess the area of the prostate, as well as lymph nodes and bones.

HOW IT WORKS?

Found in aggressive tumours, metastatic and hormone-refractory carcinomas, PSMA is a cell surface target that this expressed by nearly all prostate cancers. Given the high PSMA uptake in prostate cancer cells, it provides a biological target for PET imaging particularly in spotting small lymph node, bone and liver metastases.

ADVANTAGES OF GALIUM-68 PSMA PET/CT SCAN

• 68Ga PSMA is a new highly sensitive imaging marker for prostate cancer.
• PSMA PET-CT can identify lesions suspicious for prostate cancer when the level of prostate specific antigen is very low.
• Detecting recurrence early may significantly influence staging and clinical management.
• Treatment and survival after recurrence depends on many factors including early detection.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE PET/CT SCAN?

A. Before your appointment
Patients do not need to fast and can take all their medications. Patients should be well-hydrated before the scan.
B. On the day of your appointment
Drink a lot of water & void immediately before imaging acquisition is recommended. If you wear dentures, bring along your denture container. Please bring along your recent films and reports (if any). Arrive at our centre 30 minutes earlier for registration.

HOW THE PET/CT PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED

Before injection of the Galium-68 PSMA
We will take your height and weight. You will then be instructed to remove all metallic objects from your body and change into a hospital gown. When you lie down on the bed, an intravenous cannula will be set on your hand. Medications such as sedatives and muscles relaxants maybe given if necessary.

After injection of the Galium-68 PSMA
You will rest on the bed for about one hour 15 minutes for the Galium-68 PSMA to distribute within your body. Prior to scan, you will be instructed to empty your bladder just before being positioned on the scan table.

During the scan
A whole-body scan will be done on you from the head to your mid-thigh. As the scanning will take 30 minutes to complete, make sure you lie still because any movement will lead to poor image quality which will make the diagnosis difficult.

GETTING HELP
You may contact Nuclear Medicine & PET/CT Centre at Tel: +603-56391250 / +603-5639 1537 for assistance.