Episode Summary

In this episode, We explain an imaging test called fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Many people call it a glucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan. This test is used to look for cancer in many parts of the body and is especially helpful in certain urologic cancers other than prostate cancer, such as bladder cancer, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and cancers of the upper urinary tract.

Who This Episode Is For

• Patients with bladder cancer who are being checked for spread to lymph nodes or distant organs
• Patients with kidney cancer who may have disease outside the kidney or unclear findings on other scans
• Patients with testicular cancer, especially those with remaining masses after chemotherapy
• Patients with less common urinary tract cancers who need more information about possible spread
• Family members and caregivers who want a clear, plain language explanation of this scan

What You Will Learn

• What urologic cancers are, including bladder, kidney, testicular, and upper urinary tract cancers, and how they can spread
• What a fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan is and how it combines two imaging methods in one test
• How the fluorodeoxyglucose sugar based tracer works and why cancer cells often show up as bright spots on the scan
• When your urologist or oncologist may recommend this scan, such as staging at diagnosis, checking for recurrence, or clarifying unclear findings on other imaging
• How the scan is used differently in bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and testicular cancer
• How to prepare for the scan, including fasting, drinking water, and avoiding heavy exercise or sugary foods before the test
• What happens step by step on the day of the scan, from check in to tracer injection, resting period, and time in the scanner
• The main benefits of this scan, including whole body imaging and help in monitoring response to treatments
• The possible risks and limitations, including radiation exposure, possible side effects from the injection, and the chance of false positive or false negative results
• How your doctors interpret the scan and use the information to guide your treatment plan and follow up schedule

Key Takeaways

• A fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan uses a small amount of a radioactive sugar like tracer to find active cancer cells in many parts of the body.
• This scan is especially helpful for checking whether bladder, kidney, testicular, or other urologic cancers have spread beyond the original site.
• In bladder cancer, the scan is most useful for looking outside the bladder, because the tracer collects in urine and makes the bladder itself appear very bright.
• In kidney and testicular cancers, the scan helps evaluate lymph nodes and distant organs and can help show whether remaining masses after treatment are active cancer or scar tissue.
• Preparation is important. You are usually asked not to eat for several hours, to drink water, and to avoid heavy exercise and very sugary foods before the test.
• The test involves a simple injection, a quiet rest period, and then lying still on a table while pictures are taken. Most patients tolerate it well.
• The scan gives your care team valuable information that can help choose between surgery, radiation, systemic treatments such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or careful observation.
• The results are always considered together with your symptoms, physical exam, blood tests, and other scans to create a complete and personalized plan.

Episode Summary

In this episode, your urologist explains an advanced imaging test called a prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan. This test is often called a prostate specific membrane antigen scan. It is used to look for prostate cancer throughout the body and helps your care team see whether cancer is still in the prostate or has spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other organs.

The episode walks you through what prostate cancer is, why this scan may be recommended, and what to expect before, during, and after the test. You will learn how the tracer used in the scan attaches to prostate cancer cells, how the images are created, what the benefits are, and what risks and limitations you should be aware of. The episode also explains how the results of the scan can change your treatment plan and how this test fits into your long term follow up and monitoring.

Who This Episode Is For

• Men who have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and are being staged
• Men who have already had surgery or radiation and now have a rising prostate specific antigen blood test
• Patients and families who want to understand what a prostate specific membrane antigen scan is and what it can show
• Anyone who wants a clear, plain language explanation of this newer imaging test

What You Will Learn

• What the prostate is and how prostate cancer develops
• What a prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan is and how it works
• When your urologist may recommend this scan, for example at the time of diagnosis or when prostate specific antigen levels rise after treatment
• How the tracer attaches to prostate cancer cells and why areas of cancer light up on the images
• How to prepare for the scan, including simple eating, drinking, and clothing tips
• What actually happens on the day of the scan, from check in to injection to lying in the scanner
• The main benefits of this scan, including its ability to find small spots of cancer and guide treatment decisions
• The possible risks and limits of the scan, including radiation exposure and the chance of false positive or false negative findings
• How doctors use the results to choose or adjust treatments like surgery, radiation, and medicines
• How this scan fits into ongoing monitoring, follow up visits, and prostate specific antigen testing

Key Takeaways

• A prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography and computed tomography scan is a powerful imaging tool that can detect even small areas of prostate cancer throughout the body.
• The test uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer that seeks out prostate cancer cells and makes them easier to see on detailed images.
• This scan is especially helpful for staging higher risk prostate cancer and for locating cancer when the prostate specific antigen level rises after surgery or radiation.
• The test involves a brief injection, a period of quiet rest, and then lying still on a table while images are taken. Most patients tolerate it well.
• There is some radiation exposure and the scan is not perfect, but for many patients the benefits of better information and more targeted treatment outweigh the risks.
• Results are always interpreted together with your history, exam, prostate specific antigen levels, and other tests to create a personalized treatment plan.

This material is prepared by Advanced Urology of Georgia. To make an appointment call 678-344-8900 or go online to www.AdvancedUrology.com

In this Men’s Health Month special, We guide viewers through the most important topics in men’s health, with a spotlight on urologic wellness. The episode covers common issues like prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and urinary symptoms—explaining how lifestyle choices, early screenings, and modern treatments can greatly improve quality of life.

Whether you are managing symptoms or just being proactive, this video gives you the tools to take control of your health. It is never too early—or too late—to start the conversation.

Topics Covered:

• The importance of Men’s Health Month (June 2025)
• How to stay healthy with diet, exercise, and screenings
• Prostate health: BPH and cancer awareness
• Erectile dysfunction and low testosterone
• Urinary problems in aging men
• Treatment options and follow-up care

Need to Talk to a Urologist? Make an appointment at Advanced Urology of Georgia

📞 Call 678-344-8900

🌐 Visit AdvancedUrology.com