ProstaScint Scan Overview

A ProstaScint scan uses an injection of low-level radioactive material to test for the spread of prostate cancer .

Prostate Cancer © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Prior to test

Your doctor may do a bone scan . This is a test that detects areas of increased or decreased bone turnover, indicating bone injury or disease.

Leading up to your test:

• You will come in 4-5 days before the scan for an injection of radioactive isotope into your vein.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions for cleaning out your bowel. You may need to take a laxative or enema the night before.
• You may also need to have your bladder emptied of urine by a urine catheter.

Description of the Test

For the scan, you will be positioned next to a device that takes images.

The radioactive material that was injected into your vein is attracted to prostate cancer cells in the body. Whole body images will be taken be to detect areas where the material collects. This is done to find out if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs away from your prostate.

After Test

You will be able to leave after the test is done and resume normal activities. You may need to return the next day for more images.

How Long Will It Take?

1-2 hours

Will It Hurt?

No

Your doctor will review the images. The results will be ready in a few days.

RESOURCES:

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/

National Cancer Institute of Canada
http://www.ncic.cancer.ca/

References:

How is prostate cancer staged? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI243XHowisprostatecancerstaged_36.asp . Updated July 30, 2009. Accessed November 10, 2009.

Manyak M. Indium-111 capromab pendetide in the management of recurrent prostate cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2008;8:175-181.

Nuclear medicine exams. Mississippi Baptist Health Systems website. Available at: http://www.mbhs.org/healthtopics/nuclearmedicineexams/prostascintscan.htm . Accessed November 10, 2009.

ProstaScint kit (capromab pendetide). EUSA Pharma website Available at http://prostascintimaging.com/assets/pdf/ProstaScintPI.pdf . Updated August 7, 1997. Accessed November 10, 2009.

ProstaScint scan. University Health Care System website. Available at: http://www.universityhealth.org/body.cfm?id=38082 . Accessed November 10, 2009.

ProstaScint scan. University of Virginia Health System website. Available at: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/radiology/nuclearradiology/prostanscint-scan.cfm . Accessed April 19, 2007.