New imaging technique pinpoints PC location

[tallguy2]

I am about to start Taxotere chemotherapy. I had a relatively new imaging technique using a PET scan with Axumin. This $4K radio-pharmaceutical identifies exactly where the PC has metastasized. In my case it’s lymph nodes in the abdomen, the place where my prostate used to be, and one vertebrae. I find it interesting that the reoccurrence is exactly where I had surgery in 2012 and 2016. Research opportunity? I recommend this imaging to my fellow PC survivors if there is a reoccurrence.

My history: 2012 radical prostatectomy followed by 40 days of radiation. Gleason score of 9. 4 years of ADT, 2 year break from ADT, when a chance MRI of my lower back revealed abnormal lymph nodes. Subsequent PSAs show velocity increasing. Now at 4.5 pre-chemo.

[Tall_Allen]

It's well known that the prostate bed is the usual site of recurrence. Did you have surgery in 2016 to that vertebrae? That would get picked up on a bone scan, but an Axumin scan is more specific for PC. The role of surgery in spreading cancer has been documented, but the real extent is unknown. Here's an article about it, if you are interested:

pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/08/...

[tallguy2 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yes I had surgery to repair a herniated disc at the L5-S1 in 2016. Coincidence perhaps, but maybe not.

Thanks for the helpful reply!