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Will a CT scan show if prostate cancer has spread?

CT scan. A CT (computerised tomography) scan can show whether the cancer has spread outside the prostate, for example to the lymph nodes or nearby bones. Lymph nodes are part of your immune system and are found throughout your body. The lymph nodes near the prostate are a common place for prostate cancer to spread to.

prostatecanceruk.org - Scans to see if your cancer has spread

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PET Scan

At some hospitals, you may be offered a PET (positron emission tomography) scan. This is more commonly used to see if prostate cancer has come back after treatment, rather than when you are first diagnosed. A PET scan is often combined with a CT scan (PET-CT) to give even more detail about any prostate cancer inside the body. The scan can detect very small areas of cancer. Your hospital might ask you not to eat or drink for a few hours before the scan. You should avoid vigorous activity for 24 hours before your appointment. Try to wear loose and comfortable clothing for the scan. You’ll need to take off any jewellery or metal items, as these can affect the images. Before the scan, a small amount of radioactive dye is injected into your arm or hand. There are two main types of dye that can be used – choline and PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen). You’ll need to sit for an hour – and avoid moving and speaking – while the dye travels around your body and is absorbed. This is because any movement can affect where the dye goes in your body. You will then lie on a table that will move into the scanner, which is shaped like a large doughnut. The radiographer will leave the room but they can see you and speak to you. The scan usually takes up to 30 minutes. It won’t be painful but you may feel uncomfortable, as you need to lie still as the scanner takes pictures of your body. The scanner works by detecting the radiation given off by the dye, which collects in areas that may be cancer. You should be able to go home soon after the scan. You will be asked to avoid contact with children and pregnant women for a few hours after the scan, as you will be giving off a small amount of radiation during this time. Drinking plenty of fluid after the scan can help flush the radiation from your body.

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What comes out during a prostate exam?

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test PSA is a protein that your prostate produces. It enters the bloodstream in small amounts and the test involves taking a blood sample to see how much PSA you have in your blood. In some cases of prostate cancer, patients have a high level of PSA in their blood.

spirehealthcare.com - What to expect during a prostate exam | Spire Healthcare

The prostate sits near the bladder and is a walnut-sized gland in men that helps with the production of semen. As you get older, your prostate can become enlarged or inflamed, and some men will develop prostate cancer. It's the most common type of cancer in men, with almost 50,000 cases per year in the UK. Around eight in 10 men recover and live for at least 10 years after being diagnosed with it. With many cancers, including prostate cancer, you may not notice any symptoms in the early stages. This means that the cancer can grow undetected and develop into a more serious stage or spread to other parts of your body. Catching cancer early is one of the most effective ways to maximise your chances of making a full recovery. A prostate exam will help your doctor detect anything unusual happening with your prostate so that further investigations can be performed if needed.

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