PROSTATE

PSMA PET

PSMA PET scans are used to diagnose and monitor prostate cancer, helping doctors understand if cancer has spread, detect its return after treatment, and guide therapy decisions. It works by using a radioactive tracer (Ga-68 Gozetotide) that attaches to a protein called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is highly expressed on prostate cancer cells. This allows the scan to create detailed images that reveal the presence and location of cancer throughout the body. 

What a PSMA PET scan is used for

• Initial staging: To see if a newly diagnosed prostate cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
• Detecting recurrence: To find cancer recurrence in patients with rising PSA levels after treatment.
• Evaluating advanced cancer: To determine if the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body and requires systemic (whole-body) treatment.
• Treatment planning: To help decide on the best course of treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy, or systemic therapies.
• Targeted therapy: To determine eligibility for specific treatments that target PSMA, such as lutetium-based radiopharmaceutical therapy. 

How it compares to other imaging

A PSMA PET scan is a type of functional imaging that shows the function of tissues by tracking the radioactive tracer.

NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS

Dotatate PET

A Copper 64 dotatate PET scan is a medical imaging test that shows the location and extent of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) by highlighting cells that have somatostatin receptors. The scan works by injecting a radioactive tracer (Cu-64 dotatate) that binds to these receptors, making the tumors appear as bright spots on the final images. This allows doctors to find cancer cells, plan treatment, and monitor how well treatment is working.  

What the scan shows

• Location of neuroendocrine tumors: Cu-64 dotatate is used to find NETs, which can appear in many different parts of the body. 
• Cancer cells: The scan can identify cancer cells because NETs often have high levels of somatostatin receptors, which the tracer can bind to. 
• Treatment planning: The images are used to help plan a patient’s cancer treatment. 
• Treatment effectiveness: Doctors can use the scan to check if cancer treatment is working by seeing if the tumors are shrinking or if the tracer is being taken up less by the tumors. 

ALZHEIMERS

AMYVID PET

An Amyvid PET (positron emission tomography) scan is a medical imaging test used to detect amyloid beta plaques in the brain. Amyloid beta plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. 

Purpose 

• To diagnose or confirm Alzheimer’s disease
• To monitor the progression of amyloid beta plaques
• To assess the effectiveness of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease

Procedure 

• The patient receives an injection of Amyvid (F-18 Florbetapir), a radioactive tracer that binds to amyloid beta plaques. 
• The patient lies in a scanner for about 15-20 minutes while the tracer accumulates in the brain. 
• Images of the brain are taken, which show the distribution of amyloid beta plaques.