Has anyone had the PSMA-PET scan? Was cancer found?

Posted by hector13 @hector13, May 12, 2022

My prostate was removed 5 years ago. Two months ago, my PSA went from 0.00 to 0.09, and this month the PSA increased to 0.2. My urologist believes I am a candidate for the new PSMA-PET scan approved in 2020 that is more sensitive than previous scans in detecting small tumors. Has anyone had this scan? If so, what was your PSA at the time and was the cancer found?

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I had a PSMA PET scan done over a year ago with a PSA of 0.7 3 months after surgery. It showed several lesions, but none were in pelvic floor, all were higher in lymph nodes. None of these were seen in a regular PET or CAT scan. Based on the information I received from the scan lab, and the treatment center, 0.2 seems to be where these start to show up. There is some information if you google "Detection level and pattern of positive lesions using PSMA PET/CT for staging prior to radiation therapy"

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My PSMA PET did not detect any cancer even though my PSA was 0.5 (six months after surgery). My first PSA three months post-surgery was undetectable. I've started a 6-month course of Eligard and will have 30 sessions of IGRT in about two months. The plan is to radiate the prostate bed and pelvic-lymph nodes.

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I had a PSMA P/CT in Aug with a PSA of 1.2. It confirmed the PCa that was indicated in the previous biopsy in Feb 2022 and CT scan in Mar . Initial PSA was 80. After IMRT and Lupron it went to 1.2. I was very relieved by the PSMA P/CT results as the scan indicated no additional lesions. The scan can be a positive force even if it shows some lesions. These lesions can be attacked accurately and directly at there location.
I am now prescribed Zytiga for 2 years (initiated September 1) and we are optimistic that there will be a remission (or a cure??). PSA is now 0.1 and falling.
Good Luck with your scan.

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I had the PSMA scan earlier this year. My PSA was 19.8 and cancer was found, confined to the prostate itself. I underwent a RALP in August and was cleared completely!

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My husband had PSMA PET scan a couple of weeks ago and it did not show spread outside of the known mass in his prostate. His PSA at last check was 5.1. Gleason 7 (4+3) with bulging prostate capsule. He’s having RP tomorrow . . .

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@bandit11

PSMA Pet is much more accurate in detecting cancer outside the prostate than Bone or MRI. I had done extensive research before I saw oncologist or radiologist and knew I wanted PSMA. Because wait time to obtain Pet was 2+ months, went ahead with bone and MRI since those could be scheduled quickly. Radiologist indicated that bone and MRI would not have been necessary had PET been available quickly. Happy I did all! Also, had Decipher genetic test which I would highly recommend if your insurance will cover. Best to you!

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Hi Bandit11,
What's the benefit of the Decipher genetic test? I recently had a BCR at .2/.3 and treated with radiation (very modern bed/machine) and 6 months Orgovxy. Oncologist estimates curability likely 25%-35% because suspected recurrence @.3 was in lymph bed.
I'm 62 yo. RP @53 in 2013, Gleason 9.

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@john99

I had a PSMA PET scan done over a year ago with a PSA of 0.7 3 months after surgery. It showed several lesions, but none were in pelvic floor, all were higher in lymph nodes. None of these were seen in a regular PET or CAT scan. Based on the information I received from the scan lab, and the treatment center, 0.2 seems to be where these start to show up. There is some information if you google "Detection level and pattern of positive lesions using PSMA PET/CT for staging prior to radiation therapy"

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- Detection level and pattern of positive lesions using PSMA PET/CT for staging prior to radiation therapy https://ro-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13014-017-0902-0

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I've had the ultra sensitive PSMA Pet scan.

After 8 years post RP, psa being undetectable, my PSA had risen to .20. I waited 5-6 weeks and tested again since my GP seemed like it was critical. He was mistaken, I should not have waited. By the 5-6 weeks it had risen to .30 and made arrangements for PSMA Pet scan which was pretty new, my doctor suggested there was only 40% chance of finding it. Iwas .3 by the time I had the scan and there was something in the lymph node bed with a little pinkish color on the scan. The tadilogist stated it was a level 3 which is inconclusive of being cancer, but you wouldn't know that by the way they treated me. They adjusted the newer Versa radiation machine to include that lymph node area the was inconclusive. It seemed that was their big interest, even though inconclusive.
So, the answer the question, it did not come back saying it was level 4, which means probable for cancer, or level 5 which states it is cancer, it definitely helped them and probably saved me or gave me more time. I had previously suggested to my Oncologist maybe if I wait until it rises to .4 or .5 we would be able to see it better. But, my doctor also said there's less chance of curability at that level. If I had it to do over, I would've immediately had the PSMA Pet scan when I was .2 instead of waiting a few weeks and it rose to .3.
My treatment was 7/8 weeks of radiation from the newer Versa machine (much safer, imo) and 6 months of Orgovyx which ended in July this year. My psa test was <.02, undetectable. I'm due for another in January and hoping that's still <.02. I do fear that if it rises that means it isn't cured. I hoping it stays undetectable for as long as possible. It took 8 years for whatever cancer cells remained after my RP (My Gleason had low and mid level numbers, but also some plugs were 8 and 9) in 2013 to rise to .2. I didn't know there was a more accurate psa test that went two decimal places, my results had always read <.10, until late 2021 it read .2 which I believe is widely considered a chemical recurrence. I hope that helps, I'm glad they had the PSMA scan when I need it! Best wishes, Nate

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@havhav

My husband had PSMA PET scan a couple of weeks ago and it did not show spread outside of the known mass in his prostate. His PSA at last check was 5.1. Gleason 7 (4+3) with bulging prostate capsule. He’s having RP tomorrow . . .

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Good luck. I had mine on August 4th. No pain following surgery. Back at work and back to the gym. Your husband will be fine.

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I had a radical prostatectomy in 2016.

For four years my PSA was in the .01-.03 range. Then in 2020 it started to rise.

2/04/2020 was .06
4/28/2020 .05
10/23/2020 .07
11/30/2021 .29
2/08/2022 .43
7/29/2022 .72
10/14/2022 1.40

In February I had a PET/PSMA scan at the University of Washington. My PSA at that time was .43

No cancer was detected.

Now I'm at 1.40 and I'm scheduled to go back for another PET/PSMA scan.

The scans are done at the University of Washington Medical center. I will post the results when known.

Prayers for all.

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