1. < Prostate Cancer

Does Mayo do PSMA pet scans, and offer proton beam radiation?

Posted by dmd1atl @dmd1atl, Nov 26, 2023

I had robotic RP performed almost 4 weeks ago - pathology determined invasion in both seminal vesicles plus one lymph node. Recommended for ADT plus radiation. Does Mayo offer PSMA pet scans? Does Mayo use proton radiation?

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billfarm | @billfarm | Nov 28, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jamesharrison, you are correct. PSMA-PET scans are used - for patients with suspected metastasis (spread outside..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jamesharrison, you are correct.

PSMA-PET scans are used
- for patients with suspected metastasis (spread outside the prostate),
- for patients with suspected recurrence (cancer that may have returned) based on an increased serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and
- for selection in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, for whom lutetium Lu 177 PSMA-directed treatment is used.

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This brings up my question again. Pet scan worked when I had psa. Apparently won t work now that adt made psa undetectable. Question is it even possible to get highly focused proton radiation if no focal masses exist?

REPLY
tlems | @tlems | Nov 29, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@jamesharrison, you are correct. PSMA-PET scans are used - for patients with suspected metastasis (spread outside..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@jamesharrison, you are correct.

PSMA-PET scans are used
- for patients with suspected metastasis (spread outside the prostate),
- for patients with suspected recurrence (cancer that may have returned) based on an increased serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and
- for selection in patients with metastatic prostate cancer, for whom lutetium Lu 177 PSMA-directed treatment is used.

Jump to this post

Hello,
I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy. My psa has remained around 0.02 for most of the tests that have been taken every three months. I am wondering if I should look into making an appointment with Mayo Rochester to be seen and possibly do a follow up psma pet scan to be sure the cancer has not started to spread again. I had my treatment at a LaCrosse, Wi facility and am nervous about its return. Your advice is welcomed. I must say that I am feeling well with no side effects at this time!
Thanks, Darrel

REPLY
3 replies
dmd1atl | @dmd1atl | Nov 30, 2023
In reply to @jc76 "dmd1atl, Both Rochester and Phoenix offer proton radiation treatments. Mayo Jacksonville has photon only but latest..." + (show)
@jc76

dmd1atl, Both Rochester and Phoenix offer proton radiation treatments. Mayo Jacksonville has photon only but latest type treatments with it.

All the Mayo's do PSMA and bone scans.

Where did you have your surgery?

I see Collen has posted a web site to review and a You Tube video. As usual, a great monitor who monitors discussions and post helpful information.

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I had my surgery at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. My urologist specializes in robotic RP procedures, and was able to spare all of the nerves.

REPLY
michaelcharles | @michaelcharles | Nov 30, 2023
In reply to @tlems "Hello, I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy...." + (show)
@tlems

Hello,
I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy. My psa has remained around 0.02 for most of the tests that have been taken every three months. I am wondering if I should look into making an appointment with Mayo Rochester to be seen and possibly do a follow up psma pet scan to be sure the cancer has not started to spread again. I had my treatment at a LaCrosse, Wi facility and am nervous about its return. Your advice is welcomed. I must say that I am feeling well with no side effects at this time!
Thanks, Darrel

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Clearly your Drs will advise you more definitively, however my understanding is that the PSMA PET scan is not very effective at PSA levels below .2 (20 - 30%), much less so at .02.

REPLY
jc76 | @jc76 | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @tlems "Hello, I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy...." + (show)
@tlems

Hello,
I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy. My psa has remained around 0.02 for most of the tests that have been taken every three months. I am wondering if I should look into making an appointment with Mayo Rochester to be seen and possibly do a follow up psma pet scan to be sure the cancer has not started to spread again. I had my treatment at a LaCrosse, Wi facility and am nervous about its return. Your advice is welcomed. I must say that I am feeling well with no side effects at this time!
Thanks, Darrel

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tlems, Your PSA levels are great. You are basically at the undetectable level. The PSA is the gold standard to see how your treatment worked and if cancer had spread and is growing elsewhere.

At your levels of PSA I would be very very happy if it was me. If it was me I would not even consider a PSMA with your fantastic PSA test levels. I had my first PSA after radiation (at 3 month mark) from 3.75 to 1.2. I have another on 8th of December and I just hope I would have such a low number that you have.

I think you are doing great and if it was me (and that is what all of us should suggest and not what is best for you) I would be very happy with a PSA level of .02. That again is a great number and I think it means undetectable.

But having said that getting second opinions is always a good thing to do. And using Mayo Rochester to do it you can't do any better. I think though (my opinion) they would not recommend a PSMA with a 1 year mark after treatments ended of .002 as a level of concern to justify a PSMA.
Good Luck!!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 3, 2023
In reply to @tlems "Hello, I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy...." + (show)
@tlems

Hello,
I am fast approaching the one year mark for the end of my radiation therapy. My psa has remained around 0.02 for most of the tests that have been taken every three months. I am wondering if I should look into making an appointment with Mayo Rochester to be seen and possibly do a follow up psma pet scan to be sure the cancer has not started to spread again. I had my treatment at a LaCrosse, Wi facility and am nervous about its return. Your advice is welcomed. I must say that I am feeling well with no side effects at this time!
Thanks, Darrel

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Hi Darrell, you might consider asking this same question of your Mayo team at LaCrosse. If you wish to consider requesting an appointment at Mayo in Rochester, here is the link to get started http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Your team at LaCrosse may also inform you that they collaborate and coordinate as a comprehensive team with Mayo colleagues in Rochester. It's your body and your comfort and confidence level counts too.

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