If the MRI or other biopsy results show prostate cancer, other tests may be done to work out whether the cancer has spread.
Learn more about:
PSMA PET–CT scan
A PET (positron emission tomography) scan combined with a CT scan is a specialised imaging test. A PET–CT scan may be used to help detect cancers, or to find cancer that has spread or come back. The scan usually looks for a substance produced by prostate cancer cells called prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).
Before the scan you will be injected with a small amount of a radioactive solution that makes PSMA show up on the scan. A Medicare rebate is available for newly diagnosed patients with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer.
Learn more about PET-CT scans.
Bone scan
This scan can show if prostate cancer has spread to your bones. A tiny amount of radioactive dye is injected into a vein. You wait for a few hours while the dye moves through your bloodstream to your bones. The dye collects in areas of abnormal bone growth.
Your body will then be scanned with a machine that detects the dye. A larger amount of dye will usually show up in any areas of bone with cancer cells. The scan is painless and the radioactive dye passes out of your body in a few hours.
Learn more about bone scans.
CT scan
A CT (computerised tomography) scan uses x-rays to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body. A CT scan of the abdomen (belly) can show whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes in that area. A dye is injected into a vein to help make the scan pictures clearer.
You will lie still on a table that moves slowly through the large, round doughnut- shaped scanner. The scan itself takes a few minutes and is painless, but the preparation takes 10–30 minutes.
Learn more about CT scans.
Which scan will I have?
A large clinical trial conducted in Australia, the proPSMA trial, showed that for certain men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer, a PSMA PET–CT scan is more accurate than having traditional CT and bone scans. A Medicare rebate was introduced in 2022, meaning about 75% of all newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients in Australia will be offered a PSMA PET–CT instead of a CT and bone scan.
Before having scans, tell the doctor if you have any allergies or have had a reaction to contrast (dye) during previous scans. Also let them know if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
→ READ MORE: Staging and prognosis for prostate cancer
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Prof Declan Murphy, Consultant Urologist, Director – Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Alan Barlee, Consumer; Dr Patrick Bowden, Radiation Oncologist, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, VIC; Bob Carnaby, Consumer; Dr Megan Crumbaker, Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW; Henry McGregor, Health Physiotherapist, Adelaide Men’s Health Physio, SA; Jessica Medd, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Department of Urology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and Headway Health, NSW; Dr Gary Morrison, Shine a Light (LGBTQIA+ Cancer Support Group); Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Graham Rees, Consumer; Kerry Santoro, Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA; Prof Phillip Stricker, Chairman, Department of Urology, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, NSW; Dr Sylvia van Dyk, Brachytherapy Lead, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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