PSMA PET scans are not yet available in my area. My MO and I have been in discussions on the use of PSMA versus the FDG PET I currently get. Have extensive metastatic disease in my left pleura, nodes in my mediastinum and along the aorta. To date no skeletal lesions but one area of suspicion.
My MO contends that PSMA PET is limited to those who are looking for spread in the prostate bed, pelvis, immediate nodes, but not intended for routine follow-up and monitoring for widespread disease. He feels that FDG imaging has been sensitive enough to follow any changes in my disease process and is not motivated to send me elsewhere for a PSMA PET since he does not think it would change my current treatment which is Lupron and Zytiga/pred with a PSA that rose and plateaued at about 18.
For those with PSMA PET in your local area, are you being followed now by that scan as opposed to the other options? Does anyone get bone scans anymore?
I am 80 years old and have had PC for 27 years. I am not looking for any curative therapy but wanting to keep the cancer in check so I can enjoy my remaining time without treatments that will make me miserable.
Why do Bone Scans and CT Scans if PSMA-Pet are available?
PSMA 68 Galleon Pet Ct Scan
PSA rising - When to get a PSMA PET scan?
PSMA PET scan
Anyone left the US to get a PSMA PET scan?
Hi there! You are an amazing warrior to fight PCA for 27-years! Makes my almost 7 years seem paltry.
I have had 3 PSMA PET scans in the last year. My PSA started to rise from undetectable. The purpose of the scan was to find where the cancer was early so that they could treat the site. I am oligometastatic - the only two places my cancer has ever been found on a scan was the prostate itself and one spot in my spine that was radiated in 2015. My prostate was removed in 2018.
The first scan did not detect the presence of PCA, but the second scan 6-months later did. That’s when my PSA has quickly risen from 0.2 to 3.7 in about 10-weeks. (I had been undetectable for 3 1/2 years … and on a “holiday” from ADT for 18-months.)
They found a small spot in my left iliac (hip). I immediately restarted ADT (Orgovyx + Erleada). After 12-weeks on that, they ran another PSMA PET scan and the lesion has “shrunk” … which confirmed to them it was indeed PCA.
I just started 3 rounds of radiation at MD Anderson this week.
So, in my case, a PSMA PET scan served 2 purposes. First, it is able to detect PCA early and anywhere in my body. Second, it was used to change your treatment plan.
But, if there are known metastases in multiple places … and knowing that there might be a few other metastases in other places is not going to change a treatment plan, then a PSMA PET scan capability likely won’t make a difference worth traveling for.
That said, they are adding sites that offer this scan rapidly across the country. So, access to the test may be available to you soon. Just check the website. I had my first test at UCLA Medical Center. My second was at MD Anderson. And I checked recently and can even have the scan in my hometown of Atlanta now. All that in less than a year.
Long winded…sorry for that. Keep up the fight - 27-years is an inspiration to us all!
Best wishes,
James
James, thanks for your reply. You echo exactly what my oncologist is saying “we know you have many Mets so it will not change therapy. I am a retired pediatrician so I have a large appetite for knowledge and sometimes get impatient. My care has been excellent and even though I was told to “get my affairs together” 4+ years ago, I have survived, gotten through more treatments and have a fairly good QOL. Still can enjoy my family, some travel and be active in my community.
Hi James,
Similar experience with PSMA PET scan, but prior traditional scans resulted in notes that included "significant metastasis in vertebrae.." write ups. So, radiation treatment was not an option!
Consequently, a biopsy of a vertebrae (largest) spot was performed and guess what? Findings: no cancer was found.
Well, fast forward, PSMA would have spared the risk of having a needle hammered into my spine. I'm Oligometastatic, meaning just a few PCa distant tumors are located.
Now, I'm getting PSMA targeted radiation treatment, it's a great feeling that we're killing the cancer, as oppose to putting it to sleep for some time...
Did ur insurance cover the scan? I have to self pay and it’s costing my $5800
I live in northern va.