EDUCATION & RESEARCH
 
ONLINE HEALTH INFO  <<
 
REEVES MEDICAL LIBRARY
 
LIFELINE
 
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS
   
 
Diseases & Conditions <<
 
Conditions InDepth
 
Procedures
Women
 
Men
 
Seniors
Kids & Teens
 
Health Tools
 
Medical Cabinet
  



ProstaScint Scan
En Español (Spanish Version)

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

Prostate Cancer

© 2011 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Reasons for Test
This test is given to men who have prostate cancer to see if it has spread to the lymph nodes.

Possible Complications
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a ProstaScint scan, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
  • Changes in the levels of bilirubin in the blood
  • Changes in blood pressure
  • Allergic reaction

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the test.

What to Expect
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

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

Call Your Doctor
Call if you have any questions or concerns. In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.



RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute of Canada

References:
How is prostate cancer staged? American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_prostate_cancer_staged_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/health_topics/nuclear_medicine_exams/prostascint_scan.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.

Last Reviewed December 2011