Further tests for prostate cancer

Isotope bone scan Back to top

The bone is the most common place for prostate cancer to spread to. A bone scan can show abnormal areas of bone. A very small amount of a mildly radioactive liquid is injected into a vein, usually in your arm.

A scan is then taken of the whole body. Abnormal bone absorbs more of the radioactive substance than normal bone and shows up on the scan as highlighted areas (known as 'hot spots').

After the injection you will have to wait for up to three hours before the scan can be taken, so it is a good idea to take a book or magazine with you.

The level of radioactivity that is used is very small and does not cause any harm. This scan can also detect other conditions affecting the bones, such as arthritis. This means that further tests, such as an x-ray of the abnormal area, may be necessary to confirm whether or not it is cancer.

X-rays Back to top

A chest x-ray and x-rays of the bones are sometimes taken to check your general health and see if there has been any spread of the cancer to other parts of the body.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan Back to top

An MRI scan uses magnetism to build up cross-sectional pictures of your body. An MRI scan may show whether the cancer has spread into the tissues around the prostate gland or into the lymph nodes near the prostate|.

Before the scan you may be asked to complete and sign a checklist. This is to make sure that it’s safe for you to have an MRI scan, because the scanner is a powerful magnet. The checklist asks about any metal implants you may have, for example a pacemaker, surgical clips, bone pins etc.

You should also tell your doctor if you have ever worked with metal or in the metal industry as very tiny fragments of metal can sometimes lodge in the body. If you do have any metal in your body it’s likely that you won’t be able to have an MRI scan. In this situation another type of scan can be used.

Before having the scan, you’ll be asked to remove any metal belongings including jewellery. Some people are given an injection of dye into a vein in the arm, which doesn’t usually cause discomfort. This is called a contrast medium and can help the images from the scan to show up more clearly.

During the test you will lie very still on a couch inside a long cylinder (tube) for about 30 minutes. It’s painless but can be slightly uncomfortable, and some people feel a bit claustrophobic during the scan. It’s also noisy, but you’ll be given earplugs or headphones. You can hear, and speak to, the person operating the scanner.

 

 

CT (computerised tomography) scan Back to top

A CT scan may be used as an alternative to an MRI scan.

The scan takes a series of x-rays, which builds up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan is painless but takes 10-30 minutes. CT scans use a small amount of radiation, which is very unlikely to harm you and will not harm anyone you come into contact with. You’ll be asked not to eat or drink for at least four hours before the scan.

You may be given a drink or injection of a dye which allows particular areas to be seen more clearly. For a few minutes, this may make you feel hot all over. If you are allergic to iodine or have asthma you could have a more serious reaction to the injection, so it is important to let your doctor know beforehand.

You will probably be able to go home as soon as the scan is over.

Waiting for your test results Back to top

It can take from a few days to a couple of weeks for the results of the tests to be ready. The results will show the grade and the stage| of the prostate cancer. This information will be used by the doctors to decide on the best treatment for you.

Waiting for the results can be a difficult time and you may need support from your family or a helpful organisation|.