Prostate cancer is a deadly disease that men try to avoid in life. One way that they can detect the formation of cancerous cells is through the use of a PET Scan. A PET Scan is also known as a PSMA PET Scan, and it is an imaging test that is designed to figure out if cancer (and other diseases) are forming within your body tissues or organs.
By the way, Prostate-specific membrane antigen represents the first part of the acronym and PET stands for positron emission tomography. Each of these acronyms provides a basic description of how the PET Scan is performed. Here are 6 pointers as to why the Pet Scan is vital for prostate cancer treatment.
1. A PET Scan can Detect Cancerous Chemicals in your Body
PET Scans use various types of radioactive drugs known as tracers to detect chemical activity. The tracers can be injected into the body, swallowed down a person’s throat or inhaled through the nose and/or mouth. Once the chemical is in the body, it will highlight a specific organ or area of tissue.
If a higher level of chemical activity is taking place, it will show up in brightly coloured spots on imaging monitors or pictures. The PET Scan can detect prostate cancer if certain chemicals are present.
2. PET Scans can Measure Changes at the Cellular Level
PET Scans have an advantage over other types of imaging technologies. PET Scans can examine cellular-level metabolic changes of an organ or tissue area. This means they don’t just take pictures of the problem but actually can tell if an organ or tissue area is experiencing any types of changes that would indicate cancer.
This is one reason why PET Scans are essential for detecting problems within a man’s prostate. They can detect these problems at the earliest stage (if they are present) and oncologists can usually address the problem before it gets out of control.
3. PET Scans and CT scans can be Combined for Effective Diagnostic and Treatment
PET Scans and CT scans can be combined to provide a clearer picture of cancerous cells. A man’s prostate can be examined with more clarity by combining both tests. Also, oncologists can use both tests to determine how effective their treatment option is working for a patient.
4. PET Scans Can Distinguish Between Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Tumors
PET Scans can help oncologists to determine if a tumour is cancerous. It can detect the cancerous cells without mistaking them for normal cells. This is an essential aspect of PSMA PET Scans. Oncologists can use them to figure out if more cancerous cells are forming in a treated area of the body.
In this case, the prostate area will be under consideration. Also, it can help to detect if the cancer is spreading to other parts of the body from the prostate area.
5. PET Scans are Important for Avoiding Invasive Procedures
People who are prone to infections or who at high risk of surgery can use a PET Scan instead of surgical procedures to detect cancer. This is a non-invasive procedure that reduces or eliminates complications associated with surgical cancer diagnostic or treatment procedure.
This process saves patients from grief and worries from going under the knife, and it helps high-risk patients from being harmed by surgery.
6. PET Scans can Determine how Far Cancer has Spread
PET scans can determine how far cancer has spread. They are beneficial for this purpose because they help oncologists to figure out if a person’s cancer is in remission or metastasizing. PET Scans are often used in place of biopsies for this reason. They can also be used in conjunction with biopsies as well. PET Scans can help prostate patients to have the best outcome possible.
