⁶⁸Gallium PSMA PET-CT scans are the gold standard imaging scan for prostate cancer. A radioactive substance called 68Gallium is combined with a unique carrier molecule to create the radiotracer. The carrier molecule is attracted to a substance called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). PSMA is a type of protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells in high concentrations. This includes cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of your body, and it can even seek out the smallest tumours you might have. ⁶⁸Gallium PSMA doesn’t stay in your body for long and is eliminated naturally. Using this radiotracer, we can closely and accurately monitor how well your prostate radiotherapy or hormone therapy cancer treatment is going. 

We also use ¹⁸F PSMA PET-CT at our Bristol centre through a fortnightly mobile unit. This works the same way that ⁶⁸Gallium PSMA PET-CT scans do, but uses a radiotracer called ¹⁸Flourine. 

Find out more on PSMA PET-CT, including what to expect at your appointment and where we offer it.

Theranostics – ¹⁷⁷Lutetium PSMA therapy

We use ⁶⁸Gallium PSMA PET-CT scans as part of our ‘seek and destroy’ Theranostics treatment pathway for men with advanced prostate cancer. For example, your consultant may suggest ¹⁷⁷Lutetium PSMA therapy if you have prostate cancer that has spread elsewhere in your body and other treatments haven’t worked or you’re unable to tolerate them.

Find out more about ¹⁷⁷Lutetium PSMA therapy including how it works and who it’s for.

¹⁸F FDG PET-CT scans are available at our Windsor, Oxford and Bristol centres and are used to detect and access the metabolic activity of certain tumours including lung cancer, colorectal cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, brain cancer and multiple myeloma. FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is similar to naturally occurring glucose which all the cells of the body use for energy. As cancerous cells use more glucose than normal cells, this enables the ¹⁸F FDG PET-CT scan to demonstrate areas of increased uptake, making it an ideal diagnostic imaging tool and to help monitor effects of treatment.

⁶⁸Gallium Dotatate PET-CT scans are used to assess primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) particularly for symptomatic patients with negative anatomical findings.  It plays a key role in identifying patients who may benefit from the associated Theranostics pathway.

⁶⁸Gallium PSMA PET-CT scans, ¹⁸F FDG PET-CT scans and ⁶⁸Gallium Dotatate PET-CT scans are available at our centres in Windsor and Oxford. ¹⁸F FDG PET-CT scans and ¹⁸F PSMA PET-CT scans are available at Bristol through a mobile unit every other week.

PET-CT scans are performed in our outpatient centres. You will be sent information regarding the preparation for your PET-CT prior to your appointment. 

If you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or know there is a chance that you might be pregnant, please inform the centre where you’ll be having your PET-CT scan ahead of your appointment.  

You should also inform the centre if you are diabetic prior to your appointment as we may need to give you more specific preparation instructions.  

It’s a good idea to wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t have metal zips etc as you may be able to wear these during the scan. If not, or if you prefer, we will also provide a hospital gown for you to change into.

Once you’ve arrived for your appointment, you will be brought through to a private room.  We may ask you to change into a patient gown and will provide you with a locker for your personal items. We will also ask you to remove any jewellery or other metal objects which may interfere with the scanner. 

Before your PET-CT scan, your radiographer will inject a radioactive tracer into your arm or hand  through a small plastic tube (cannula). The tracer will only remain in your body for a few hours and will not produce any side effects.

Once you’re ready to have your scan, your radiographer will take you into the scanning room. The PET-CT scanner is a large scanner with a hole all the way through, a bit like a doughnut, with a couch attached. They’ll ask you to lie down on your back on the couch and help you into the correct position and to get comfortable.

Your radiographer will leave the room, but they’ll be able to see through the viewing window from the control room for the duration of the scan. In addition, you’ll be able to talk to one another through an intercom system, and they may give you some specific instructions during the scan.

The couch will slowly move backwards and forwards through the hole of the scanner. You will be asked to keep still and breathe normally during the scan. You may hear very quiet clicking or whirring sounds. This is normal and is part of the machine taking the images.

We’ll send your results to the consultant who requested the scan, usually within 24-48 hours of completing the scan.

Prior to your scan, you’ll be injected with the radiotracer and you’ll have to wait while this circulates to the area being scanned. This can take up to an hour. Depending on which area you’re having scanned, you may be in the room for 30 to 45 minutes. The scan itself won’t cause you any pain, but you may find that lying in the same position causes you a little discomfort but we’ll try to make you as comfortable as possible before the scan starts. You can also listen to music through the speakers to help you relax. Once your scan has finished, your radiographer will come back into the room and assist you back to your room.

You shouldn’t experience any side effects from your PET-CT scan, and you can usually go home as  soon as your cannula has been removed. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the radiotracer more quickly out of your system, and you can eat as normal.  The radiotracer quickly becomes less radioactive over time and will pass naturally out of your body within a few hours. 

Because of the radioactivity in your system, you will be advised to avoid prolonged contact with young children and pregnant women for a couple of hours after your scan as a precaution. We’ll discuss this in more detail with you on the day. 

A PET-CT scan is a low-risk procedure, and the amount of radiation you’ll receive from it is equivalent to a few years of naturally occurring (‘background’) radiation. The decision to perform a PET-CT scan is always made by a qualified member of our team who ensures that the radiation exposure is justified.

Your PET-CT scan will provide us with important information, and it’s considered that the benefit for you is much greater than the risk from radiation. 

After your scan has finished, you can usually go home as soon as your cannula has been removed. 

Very rarely, people may have an allergic reaction to the radiotracer. You should let your radiographer know if you feel unwell or if you have any food or drug allergies.

It’s also important to note that if you are planning on travelling abroad within 48 hours of having your PET-CT scan, you should take your appointment letter with you as proof of the scan. Some airports have very sensitive radiation monitors which may pick up trace radiation after your test.