Prostate Cancer Recurrence in Santa Fe
Following treatment for prostate cancer, the disease sometimes recurs. When patients return for their regular screening, new cells are detected.
If the prostate gland has been removed, prostate-specific antogens (PSAs) decrease and are eventually undetectable. The same is true of radiation therapy, with PSA levels dropping to either a stable or low level.
Prostate cancer is usually observed recurring in tissue near the site of the original cancer, or in the pelvic lymph nodes or seminal vesicles. The cancer may also recur in muscles controlling urination, or in the rectum or pelvic wall. This is known as metastasis.
What is the rate of recurrence?
Nearly 100% of prostate cancer patients live for at least 5 years following treatment, with 98% living for a further 10 years.
That said, many prostate cancer patients are in their senior years, so are much more likely to die from causes other than prostate cancer.
10% of patients with prostate cancer, unfortunately, do not have the disease identified early enough to prevent metastasis. The cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. The prognosis for this group is not nearly as good.
Only 38% of these patients will live for a further 5 years.
A new tool for detecting prostate cancer recurrence
Patients concerned about prostate cancer recurrence in Santa Fe now enjoy the benefit of Axumin, an injectable diagnostic imaging agent.
This radioactive agent has been developed for use with positron emission tomography (PET scan) and was approved by the FDA in 2016.
For patients who are showing elevated PSA levels, Axumin provides a reliable method of detection, making the presence of cancer immediately evident in a way standard radiology can’t.
Cells in the body rely on glucose. When a disease like cancer is present, cells are seen to demand more glucose. The PET scan can visualize and identify affected cells because of this factor. Cancer cells also absorb amino acids at a higher rate than normal cells do. Axumin can (because of its radioactive nature) show radiologists exactly where these abnormally high concentrations of the acids are.
In the past, PSA levels have needed to be unduly elevated (at least 10 to 30) to detect the recurring cancer’s location. With Axumin, cancer can be accurately detected with levels of only 10 and under.
When the location of recurring prostate cancer is known, doctors can determine whether the cancer is local (in the region of the prostate) or systemic (in bones and other tissue in remote locations).
Prostate cancer recurrence in Santa Fe
For more than 65 years, X-Ray Associates of New Mexico has been bringing patients in this state leading-edge radiology. Always in the vanguard of diagnostic radiology, XRANM is proud to offer Axumin for PET scan, here in Santa Fe – one of six XRANM locations in the state of New Mexico.
At all our clinics, we offer a comprehensive range of advanced diagnostics, offering same-day testing as part of commitment to care because you need to know as soon as possible where you stand.