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PET/CT Scan for Prostate Cancer in Atlanta

Precision Imaging That Detects Cancer Earlier Than Traditional Scans

What is a PET/CT Scan?

A PET/CT scan for prostate cancer is one of the most advanced imaging tools available for detecting, staging, and monitoring prostate cancer in Atlanta. This technology combines two powerful imaging methods into one scan:

  • PET (Positron Emission Tomography): Shows how your body's cells are functioning by tracking a small, safe amount of radioactive tracer (like PSMA or FDG). Cancer cells, which are typically more active than normal cells, light up clearly on the scan.
  • CT (Computed Tomography): Provides detailed, 3D anatomical images of your body's internal structures, pinpointing the exact location of any abnormalities detected by the PET scan.

By combining PET and CT imaging, Advanced Urology can visualize both the metabolic activity and precise anatomy of prostate tissue, lymph nodes, and bones, delivering more accurate results than traditional imaging alone.

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What to Expect During Your PET/CT Scan at Advanced Urology

Before Your Scan

Preparing for your PSMA or FDG PET scan is simple. We encourage drinking plenty of water beforehand to help the tracer work effectively. If you're having an FDG scan, you'll need to fast for 4-6 hours, but PSMA scans usually don't require any dietary restrictions. Keep taking your regular medications, and wear comfortable clothes without metal, like athletic wear or sweats. If you have diabetes or other health conditions, just let us know when scheduling so we can provide personalized instructions.

During Your Scan

The process is straightforward and completely painless. You'll receive a small injection of the tracer through a vein in your arm, similar to having blood drawn. Then you'll relax in a comfortable waiting area for about 45-60 minutes while the tracer circulates through your body. Once ready, you'll lie on the PET/CT scanner table, which slowly moves through the machine as images are captured. The actual scanning takes just 20-30 minutes, and you can breathe normally throughout.

After Your Scan

You can immediately return to your normal activities; there's no recovery time needed. Our radiologist will analyze your images and send a detailed report to your Advanced Urology physician, who will discuss the results at your follow-up appointment. Your images are securely stored in our digital system for future reference and comparison.

Ideal Candidates for PET/CT Scan

PET/CT imaging is recommended for specific prostate cancer patients who need the most accurate staging and detection available. Your urologist may recommend a PET/CT scan if you have:

High-Risk or Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Patients with Gleason scores of 8 or higher, PSA levels above 20, or locally advanced disease benefit from PET/CT scanning to rule out metastatic spread before surgery or radiation.

Rising PSA Levels After Treatment

If your PSA levels are rising after radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy, PET/CT scans can detect recurrent cancer at PSA levels as low as 0.2 ng/mL, far earlier than conventional imaging.

Newly Diagnosed Patients

Before starting treatment, PET/CT scans provide critical information about whether cancer has spread beyond the prostate, helping your team choose between localized therapy (surgery/radiation) or systemic treatment.

Understanding PSMA and FDG PET Scan Tracers

Before your PET/CT scan, you'll receive an injection of a specialized tracer that acts like a highlighter for cancer cells. At Advanced Urology, we offer two advanced tracers that work in different ways to ensure nothing is missed:

PSMA (Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen) Tracer

PSMA attaches to a protein found on prostate cancer cells, even microscopic ones that other scans might miss. This makes PSMA PET scans incredibly accurate for detecting prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other organs.

FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose) Tracer

FDG is a glucose-based tracer that highlights cells with high metabolic activity. Since aggressive or atypical cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, FDG helps identify cancers that may not express PSMA as strongly, ensuring no active disease is missed.

Why Choose a PET/CT Scan Over Traditional Imaging?

Unlike traditional scans that only show anatomy, PET/CT imaging detects biological activity inside your body. This advanced technology doesn't just show us where prostate cancer is located, but it also shows us how aggressive it is and where it's heading. This deeper insight helps identify even small or hidden areas of prostate cancer that might otherwise go undetected. Benefits of a PSMA or FDG PET/CT scan include:

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Earlier Detection of Recurrence

PSMA PET scans can detect recurrent or residual prostate cancer earlier than conventional imaging.

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Precise Cancer Staging

We can accurately determine if prostate cancer has spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other organs, which is critical information for choosing between surgery, radiation, or systemic therapy.

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Personalized Treatment Planning

By distinguishing between aggressive and slow-growing cancer cells, we can better tailor your treatment plan.

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Real-Time Treatment Monitoring

Monitor your response to therapy over time, ensuring treatments are working effectively and adjusting them if necessary

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Peace of Mind Through Clarity

Resolve uncertain findings from previous scans and get definitive answers about suspicious areas, reducing anxiety and enabling confident treatment decisions.

Why Choose Advanced Urology

Advanced Urology is Metro Atlanta's leader in prostate cancer imaging, offering PSMA and FDG PET/CT scans at 12 convenient locations throughout the greater Atlanta area. Additionally, at our six advanced ambulatory surgery centers, we provide complete prostate cancer care, including advanced imaging and diagnosis, to treatment and follow-up, all under one roof.

Driven by a culture of continuous improvement, our team of urologists uses the most advanced imaging technology to help detect, stage, and monitor prostate cancer with exceptional precision. A PET/CT scan using PSMA or FDG tracers allows us to see both where and how your body is functioning, providing the most accurate information for your personalized treatment plan.

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