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

My doctors at UCLA recommended RP over radiation ( although they said both were good treatments) but if the cancer returns and I got radiation, Radiation treatment might not be available to me again. Hence, I had RP 6 months ago plus lupron and Erleada for a year. The result was good but it has only been a year and we don’t know what the long term result will be. I am in a clinical trial for aggressive, high gleason score, nm, castration resistant cancer. The average result for guys like me is 41 months from the start of treatment for the cancer to return and thereafter 30 months of radiation or chemo . I think that there is a slim chance for a cure, but who knows.

I guess my team just assumed that my Gleason, 4+3 showed showed it to be aggressive enough for them. Surveillance was never discussed, my PSA was higher though as well.s

I was recently referred to the urologist after my PSA rather quickly rose to 4.63. Subsequent biopsy indicated cancer with a Gleason score of 3+4 and a PET scan showed the cancer was confined to the prostate. With this information, my urologist and I thought I was a good candidate for “active surveillance”. Then the Decipher results came back as “high risk”. To answer your question, yes this information changed my treatment. The Decipher report made clear that “active surveillance” would not be appropriate. So I plan now to go the radiation and hormone therapy route and will be meeting with the RO in the near future.

I had the decipher (seems to be the preferred test because of sample size) and the Myriad test done for aggressiveness of the cancer based on samples from my biopsy. My RO adjusted treatment partially because of those tests. It also suggested how many modes of treatment I needed. I had the Genetic myrisk test which showed no active bracha or other gene isssue, which was good for my sons and daughter (ie bracha and breast cancer).

I’ve had two. The doctors had already determined that I had G9 and the PSMA Pet scan showed it had spread to my lymph nodes, spine, pelvis, and scapula. I immediately started Lupron and had radiation to the spot on my spine to prevent it from reaching my spinal cord. My second scan was six months later and showed that all the infected areas were significantly smaller. I’m also on Erleada and XGeva (to prevent bone loss).

I have a family history of prostate cancer (grandfather, father, brother) so I have been very diligent in getting my PSA checked annually. Last check, PSA had more than doubled from 1.4 to 3.6 in a year. Still in normal range for a 71 year old. Because of my family history I had an MRI on 12/29 which showed PI-RADS Category 5 with several lesions in the bones of my pelvis. Next, a CAT Scan which showed no evidence of cancer, next a bone scan that confirmed the MRI results, next a biopsy that resulted in a Gleason score of 8, finally a PET scan that confirmed cancer in prostate, 3 locations on my pelvic bones and sacrum, one lymph node, and nowhere else. Started on Casodex immediately after MRI, scheduled to start Lupron next week, started Zytiga 3 days ago. Radiology oncologist has scheduled 5 weeks of radiation starting in April after the ADT has taken effect. The PET scan indicated clear targets for radiation and both my oncologist and radiology oncologist are optimistic.

I never had this done, but I'm curious. You say it explains how aggressive the cancer has become. Did having this knowledge change your treatment in any way?

No, sorry. Have not had gene testing.

Best wishes.

Hello, was wondering if you had gene testing done. It turns out that a BRCA 2 gene mutation for me explains how aggressive and invasive my PCa has become.

Personal, non-medical opinion: I would have prostatectomy at a center of excellence or by a very experienced Urologic Surgeon. And soon.

Removal of cancerous prostate while cancer contained within capsule was my wish; unfulfilled because some cells had escaped (EPE), and now Radiation and Hormone therapy to chase down the lousy bastards.

And I know that medicine is balancing treatment vs overtreatment. Also, my physical recovery from surgery at 72 has been terrific, so I am a RP advocate (continence has been excellent; ED significant changes and a work in progress).

Very personal opinion of 1 (some might say radical).

Note: My MRI suggested cancer contained within prostate capsule and my Gleason scores were higher (8s and a 9), last 4 PSA results were 4.6, 5.9 and 7.5 at time of MRI (over about 2 yrs).
Would surgery earlier have eliminated the cancer? Who knows. But now I am chasing cancer cells.