One Pager: Understanding Prostate Cancer Imaging (PDF) Jump To Jump To Full Text Preview Online Preview Printable Version Download a Printable PDF Prostate cancer imaging is an evolving field. Ultrasound, bone scan, MRI scan, CT scan, and PET/CT scan are all considered for various reasons. Learn more and find questions to ask your doctor so you know which imaging scans are right for you. Download the PDF Online Preview Document Full-Text:Understanding Prostate Cancer ImagingProstate Cancer Detection And DiagnosisProstate cancer is most often detected with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE), and is confirmed by a biopsy. A variety of imaging scans may be used to help your doctor biopsy, diagnose, and stage prostate cancer. Imaging scans can also help determine if and where the cancer has spread, plan treatment, or find out if treatment is working. Imaging TypeAbout the Imaging ScanConventional ImagingUltrasoundUsed to look for suspicious areas in the prostateBone ScanShows prostate cancer that may have spread to bonesRequires other tests to confirm if cancer is in the bonesMRI ScanUsed to determine if a biopsy is neededGuides needles for a biopsyCan help determine the stage of prostate cancerCT ScanDetects prostate cancer in lymph nodesAfter a recurrence, can help determine organ involvementAdvanced ImagingPET/CT ScanShows images of prostate cancer that may have spreadAre often less detailed than MRI or CT imagesUses new and advanced imaging agents to detect cancerAdvanced Imaging And New Imaging AgentsAll imaging tests have limitations. Some are better at detecting cancer in lymph nodes, some work best if the PSA levels are rising, and others may miss small areas of prostate cancer that have come back or spread. With the discovery of new imaging agents, these pictures of the inside of the body make it easier to see prostate cancer cells, even in small amounts, that have traveled outside the prostate to other places in the body. These advances are improving how a patient’s prognosis, or outcome, is determined, if a treatment is working, and how treatment decisions are made.Questions to Ask Your DoctorBe sure to talk to your doctor about which scans might be best for you. Here are some questions to get you started:What are the differences between a CT scan, MRI scan, and PET/CT scan?Will I need more than one imaging scan?How long do these scans take and how do I prepare?How often will I need to have scans?What kind of imaging agent will be used?Should I be concerned about side effects from any of the imaging agents?Does my PSA level have to be rising to qualify for any of these imaging scans?What will the results tell me?CT = Computed TomographyDRE = Digital Rectal ExamMRI = Magnetic Resonance ImagingPET = Positron Emission TomographyPSA = Prostate-Specific AntigenBrought to you by Blue Earth Diagnostics Preview & DownloadDownload the "Understanding Prostate Cancer Imaging" One-Pager (PDF)Online View (FlipBook Website) Understanding Prostate Cancer Imaging Downloadable Materials
Printable Version Download a Printable PDF Prostate cancer imaging is an evolving field. Ultrasound, bone scan, MRI scan, CT scan, and PET/CT scan are all considered for various reasons. Learn more and find questions to ask your doctor so you know which imaging scans are right for you. Download the PDF Online Preview
Document Full-Text:Understanding Prostate Cancer ImagingProstate Cancer Detection And DiagnosisProstate cancer is most often detected with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE), and is confirmed by a biopsy. A variety of imaging scans may be used to help your doctor biopsy, diagnose, and stage prostate cancer. Imaging scans can also help determine if and where the cancer has spread, plan treatment, or find out if treatment is working. Imaging TypeAbout the Imaging ScanConventional ImagingUltrasoundUsed to look for suspicious areas in the prostateBone ScanShows prostate cancer that may have spread to bonesRequires other tests to confirm if cancer is in the bonesMRI ScanUsed to determine if a biopsy is neededGuides needles for a biopsyCan help determine the stage of prostate cancerCT ScanDetects prostate cancer in lymph nodesAfter a recurrence, can help determine organ involvementAdvanced ImagingPET/CT ScanShows images of prostate cancer that may have spreadAre often less detailed than MRI or CT imagesUses new and advanced imaging agents to detect cancerAdvanced Imaging And New Imaging AgentsAll imaging tests have limitations. Some are better at detecting cancer in lymph nodes, some work best if the PSA levels are rising, and others may miss small areas of prostate cancer that have come back or spread. With the discovery of new imaging agents, these pictures of the inside of the body make it easier to see prostate cancer cells, even in small amounts, that have traveled outside the prostate to other places in the body. These advances are improving how a patient’s prognosis, or outcome, is determined, if a treatment is working, and how treatment decisions are made.Questions to Ask Your DoctorBe sure to talk to your doctor about which scans might be best for you. Here are some questions to get you started:What are the differences between a CT scan, MRI scan, and PET/CT scan?Will I need more than one imaging scan?How long do these scans take and how do I prepare?How often will I need to have scans?What kind of imaging agent will be used?Should I be concerned about side effects from any of the imaging agents?Does my PSA level have to be rising to qualify for any of these imaging scans?What will the results tell me?CT = Computed TomographyDRE = Digital Rectal ExamMRI = Magnetic Resonance ImagingPET = Positron Emission TomographyPSA = Prostate-Specific AntigenBrought to you by Blue Earth Diagnostics
Imaging TypeAbout the Imaging ScanConventional ImagingUltrasoundUsed to look for suspicious areas in the prostateBone ScanShows prostate cancer that may have spread to bonesRequires other tests to confirm if cancer is in the bonesMRI ScanUsed to determine if a biopsy is neededGuides needles for a biopsyCan help determine the stage of prostate cancerCT ScanDetects prostate cancer in lymph nodesAfter a recurrence, can help determine organ involvementAdvanced ImagingPET/CT ScanShows images of prostate cancer that may have spreadAre often less detailed than MRI or CT imagesUses new and advanced imaging agents to detect cancer
Questions to Ask Your DoctorBe sure to talk to your doctor about which scans might be best for you. Here are some questions to get you started:What are the differences between a CT scan, MRI scan, and PET/CT scan?Will I need more than one imaging scan?How long do these scans take and how do I prepare?How often will I need to have scans?What kind of imaging agent will be used?Should I be concerned about side effects from any of the imaging agents?Does my PSA level have to be rising to qualify for any of these imaging scans?What will the results tell me?
Preview & DownloadDownload the "Understanding Prostate Cancer Imaging" One-Pager (PDF)Online View (FlipBook Website)
