Prostate cancer is one of the most difficult types of cancer to localize once it has spread outside the prostate gland. Frequently, pelvic surgery with removal of the lymph nodes is required in the absence of a non-invasive test to detect the spread of prostate cancer. A New Weapon vs. Prostate Cancer

Many patients undergo extensive surgery or radiation therapy, not knowing if their cancer is confined to the prostate gland or whether it has spread to lymph nodes. Tri-City Medical Center physicians are armed with a new diagnostic nuclear medicine scan that can determine if there is a spread of cancer to lymph nodes, ultimately helping them to determine the appropriate cancer treatment. The test is called a ProstaScint scan.

ProstaScint is a radiolabeled antibody specific for prostate cancer. Samuel Kipper, M.D., of Tri-City Medical Center participated in the clinical trials that led to the procedure's FDA approval in October of 1996.

The test includes intravenous injection of ProstaScint, followed by whole body scanning and cross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis four days later. Dr. Kipper is one of about 30 nuclear medicine specialists in the U.S. accredited to perform these tests and has seen patient referrals from as far away as Montana and from throughout the western United States

Using Nuclear Medicine to Save Lives

There are two groups of patients who would benefit from a ProstaScint scan: newly diagnosed patients with prostate cancer who are at a high risk for spread to lymph nodes, and patients with already treated prostate cancer with a suspected recurrence indicated by a rising level of prostate specific antigen, a tumor marker specific for prostate cancer

In both cases, the test will help identify the possible spread of the cancer and thus play an important role in determining which type of therapy would be most important.

"The ProstaScint scan is another nuclear medicine test that has the potential of providing cost savings to the patient by directing him to the appropriate type of treatment and avoiding unnecessary procedures," notes Dr. Kipper.