A PET/CT provides quantitative metabolic information about the whole body. A PSMA scan assists in localising the extent of prostate cancer by using a radioactive tracer that can detect prostate cancer cells in the prostate area, lymph glands and bones. The traditional bone scan only spots bone damage but not specifically caused by cancer.
The new PET scan reveals the extent of cancer through the entire body, not just bones and it lights up cancer spots not just damaged areas. This test can be used in the staging of newly diagnosed prostate cancer and is a major advancement in the detection of secondary cancer recurrence.
