PSMA PET

PSMA PET Scan

A PSMA PET scan is an advanced imaging tool. It helps doctors find and evaluate prostate cancer with greater detail and accuracy than standard imaging. Michigan Medicine is one of the few institutions in the country that offers this technology.

PSMA stands for Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen. PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography.

How Does It Work?

Before the scan, you will receive a small amount of a radioactive tracer — a drug that travels through your body and sticks to PSMA, a protein found on prostate cancer cells. The more aggressive the cancer, the more of this protein is present. This makes those areas show up clearly on the scan.

The result is a detailed picture of where the cancer is and whether it has spread. Compared to standard imaging like CT scans and bone scans, a PSMA PET scan finds cancer more accurately — especially small or hard-to-spot areas.

Can a PSMA PET Scan Help Guide My Treatment?

Yes — this scan does more than find cancer. It can also help your doctor decide if you are a good fit for a treatment called radioligand therapy. This is a targeted treatment where a radioactive drug is injected into your body. The drug travels directly to prostate cancer cells and attacks them. Your doctor will use the scan to see if this treatment is right for you.

Is This Scan Available at Michigan Medicine?

Yes — and we are proud to be one of only a small number of hospitals in the country to offer it. It takes special equipment and trained experts to perform and read the results. Having access to this scan at Michigan Medicine means you are getting some of the most advanced prostate cancer care available.