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Anyone had a full body scan when they have prostate cancer?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (44)Comment receiving replies
My husband had a PSMA, which we paid for, and then had 5 weeks of radiation last year. He is on abiraterone, prednisone and orgovyx. But it feels as though we live in limbo, now. Did the radiation work? The orgovyx and the abiraterone are deteriorating his muscle and bones. I see him getting smaller. He golfs 2 to 3 times per week but is having hip pain and seems to be walking with a limp all the time, now. I wish I had x ray eyes so I could see inside him to know what was eradicated and what is happening in there. That is why, when my sister mentioned it, yesterday, I wondered if there is any benefit to the body scan.
Replies to "My husband had a PSMA, which we paid for, and then had 5 weeks of radiation..."
@gkgdawg
MRI is part of PC cancer screening and MRI can better see mets in liver, brain, spinal cord, even prostate when finer definition is needed etc.
In Canada it is used regularly to screen even stage 4 PC (ask @northoftheborder ). Since PSMA "glow" can hide some organs and finer structures, some mets can be missed.
@gkgdawg
I am so sorry to hear that : (. Did you take your husband to have MRI of his hip ? It might be the case that his pain is not related to ADT.
But the most important thing is for him to start resistance training, weight lifting, and doing plyometric exercises and of course adjusted to his level of fitness. Just playing golf is not going to help much : ((, unfortunately. Exercise has to happen every day.
The second important factor is for him to have adequate intake of protein ( fish and skinless poultry) , beans, tofu etc etc. If needed protein shakes can be added to his daily diet.
Now about having MRI done for affordable price - since it has zero side effects and no radiation
and you feel it can give you a peace of mind I do not see why not ? Just be prepared that some benign things will be seen possibly and do not panic. If your MRI over there will be followed by PC doctor's consultations - that is even better. MRI can not replace PSMA -but they complement each other very well. I hope that @northoftheborder will jump in with his explanation about MRI utilization in PC screening.
Wishing you fantastic trip and much fun in Lithuania 😃.
@gkgdawg, MRI of the hip. Call any of his doctors and get the order by phone. Abiraterone can cause joint inflammation and bone loss, but helps prevent metastasis to the bone. Orgovyx can cause both muscle and bone loss.
If he hasn't had a dexa for bone health, he should have one. Again you should be able to get the requisition by a phone call.
Are you having follow-up PSA labs?
Was his cancer intense enough to required continued ADT?
The radiation beams can often pass through the hip bones and/or adjacent to them. Radiation itself can be destructive to bone.
You might not want to wait. If you call tomorrow morning, have them send you a copy of the requisitions. That way you can call around to find the earliest appointments.
@gkgdawg did he also get a bone density test? My husband had that around diagnosis and psma pet scan. Also on firmagon and zytiga but he works out 5 days a week, weight lifting and treadmill and stays active at home
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@gkgdawg Might be a benefit to DeXA scan that will give bone, fat, etc. percentages. Full body is done as a health item in US for less than $100 at most places. Might even be cheaper overseas. If on ADT need to do resistance exercises to minimize muscle loss. Need to do impact exercises (stomping; should feel the impact in your bones up to lower spine) to minimize bone loss. Check to make sure bones are strong enough.
The general "healthy / preventative" full body MRI they sell in USA is about $1200. Although a little more definitive than PSMA PET if there were any abnormal growths they would have been noted on PSMA PET report even if totally unrelated to the prostate cancer (common is calcification of heart arteries but no specifics).