Irving, Texas – Dec 23, 2018 – Imaging tests use magnetic fields, X-rays, radioactive substances or sound waves to generate pictures of the inside of a patient's body. Doctors use results from digital rectal exams, prostate-specific antigen level results and the Gleason score from the outcomes of biopsy to find out if cancer has progressed outside the prostate. It is still controversial, though, whether healthy men without prostate cancer symptoms should undergo screening for prostate cancer.

"The information received from the DRE, PSA and the Gleason score is what will decide if a patient requires imaging tests to check whether cancer has spread beyond the prostate," explained Dr. Echt. "Patients with low PSA levels, Gleason score, and a normal DRE do not need further tests because they have low chances of cancer spreading."

• Bone scan – A bone scan uses a radioactive tracer to check inside the bones. The tracer is injected into the patient's vein to collect in bone areas that have metabolic activity. On the camera, a healthy bone appears gray, but when injured, it appears dark.

• CT scan – CT scans are used to measure the size of a tumor. They create 3D images of inside the body and combines them to detailed cross-sectional view which shows any tumors. Sometimes a patient is made to swallow or is injected with a contrast dye before the scan to ensure more explicit images.

• PET scan – PET scans are used to detect and monitor the activity of the cancer cells in the prostate. Pet can be combined with CT scan (PET-CT) or used alone to create detailed images of tissues and organs inside the body. Research is ongoing to enable the use of different substances such as choline acetate, prostate-specific membrane antigen and fluciclovine with PET scans to detect prostate cancer.

• MRI scan – MRIs uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the body. They can also be used to measure the size of a tumor.

“After diagnostic tests for prostate cancer have been performed, doctors will review the results with the patient,” continued Dr. Echt. "If your diagnosis is cancer, the results will help doctors to stage cancer and develop a treatment plan."

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The Prostate Seed Institute is one of the country’s leading pioneers in prostate cancer treatment including prostate seed implementation, a fast and painless procedure that effectively treats prostate cancer in its earliest stages. With a team of oncology experts and a state-of-the-art facility, the Prostate Seed Institute provides prostate cancer patients with the most comprehensive treatment available.

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