Anyone had a full body scan when they have prostate cancer?

Haven't had one but I would think to be beneficial...
1) What type of scan?
2) What type of tracer?

Don’t know that it would be of use, unless they were looking for something in addition to your prostate cancer due to other symptoms. If that were the case it would likely be a CT Scan of the Pelvis, Abdomen and chest. Typically initially after prostate cancer diagnosis you will get a PET scan to check for the cancer having left the prostate capsule. If they believe it has metastasized possibly a bone scan. Just a genetic full body is probably not necessary.

@mjp0512 I have only recently heard of them. I gather that some of the more affluent individuals have one done every year . But my sister mentioned it to me, yesterday. My husband and I are going to Lithuania in September and she said those type of scans (MRI, I understand) might be considerably cheaper in Lithuania. She wondered if I had considered getting one or having my husband get one. So, I am just in the curious stage, right now.

Standard of care after confirmation of PCa via biopsy is a PSMA PET scan. This scan is from neck to mid-thigh so while not full body it's close. I would much rather a PSMA specific scan for known prostate cancer than a generalized MRI. Unless something else is suspected that is more visible with MRI.

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.

@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).

@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 😃.

@surftohealth88 So, are you saying that it might be wise to get a full body MRI scan?

@gkgdawg
I am saying it might be useful if it is followed by PC doctor interpretation. If nothing is seen it will not give you a full picture, unfortunately. For example, nodes might be the normal size even if they possibly contain cancer. In Canada MRI is combined with CT and bone scan when PSA is undetectable. This is what I remember @northofnorthoftheborder was explaining. Since PSMA emits "glow" in liver, kidneys, etc that glow can cover and hide existing lesions there, so If you can have MRI for affordable price it might be useful to have it as complementary for the future PSMA scan (if you are planing to have it in near future). It is really up to you - it might be useful but would not tell it all by any means.