Important to know

• Please bring reports and pictures from preliminary examinations with you.

• Pregnancy must be ruled out.

• If you are breastfeeding your child, please let us know when you make an appointment so that we can discuss the next steps with you.

• On the day of the examination, contact with pregnant women or young children should be avoided.

If you need to cancel

• If need to cancel your appointment, please inform us of this no later than the day before by 12 noon, otherwise we will have to charge a cancellation fee.

• Also, if we can’t reach you to confirm the appointment without the 48 hours before the exam we will have to reschedule you. You can of course also call us if you are not reachable.

What do I need to know about Axumin?

As with all diagnostic imaging tests such as x-rays, bone scans and computed tomography (CT) scans, it is possible that the physician (a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician) that reviews your Axumin PET/CT scan can interpret your results incorrectly. This means that a negative Axumin PET/CT scan does not rule out that you have recurrent prostate cancer, and a positive Axumin PET/CT scan does not confirm that you have recurrent prostate cancer

How a PET-CT works

• We will inject you a small dose of the radioactive tracer substance specially prepared for you.

• Then wait 30-90 minutes in a lying position.

• The recording in the scanner takes about 20 minutes.

• Drink plenty of fluids after the examination to speed up the elimination of the tracer.

• Please let us know if you suffer from claustrophobia. Here are some tips if you do.

Possible side effects

• No side effects are to be expected from the injection of the radioactive tracer itself.

• Side effects can result from the administration of iodine-containing contrast medium in the context of the possibly accompanying contrast medium-assisted computed tomography (intolerance reaction, hyperthyroidism, exacerbation of a pre-existing renal insufficiency).

• Please make sure to point out in the informative discussion if you have had a reaction to a contrast medium in the past (reddening of the skin, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, etc.).

• How well Axumin works seems to be affected by PSA levels. As PSA levels go up, an Axumin PET/CT scan is better able to identify recurrent prostate cancer.

• Serious reactions including anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, may occur in patients who receive Axumin.

• Axumin adds to your long-term overall radiation exposure, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer.