PSMA Tracers

 
 

Pylarify

PYLARIFY® (piflufolastat F 18) injection (also known as 18F-DCFPyL or PyL) is a fluorinated small molecule PSMA-targeted PET imaging agent that enables visualization of lymph nodes, bone and soft tissue metastases to determine the presence or absence of recurrent and/or metastatic prostate cancer.

The tracer F‑ 18 PSMA binds to the prostate-specific membrane antigen ( PSMA ) on the surface of tumor cells and thus enables imaging with very high contrast. Pylarify is a sensational tracer which has completely revolutionized prostate imaging. It allows the detection of the absolute smallest tumor settlements, which would be impossible to be picked up by conventional imaging. We are one of the very few centers that have offer this tracer.

Illuccix

Illuccix, after radiolabeling with Ga 68, is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for positron emission tomography (PET) of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive lesions in men with prostate cancer: With suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy.

Posluma

Posluma® (flotufolastat F 18) is a radiohybrid (PET) prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET)-imaging agent indicated for PSMA-positive lesions in men with prostate cancer with suspected metastasis who are candidates for initial definitive therapy or with suspected recurrence based on elevated serum prostate‐specific antigen PSA level.

Compared to others, there is lower excretion of the tracers through the kidneys and therefore a less distracting signal in the bladder. This makes it easier to detect lesions near the bladder, as they often occur in Prostate.

Axumin

For many years Axumin was the go to imaging tracer for prostate cancer imaging, however now it has now become obsolete. This is due to newer PSMA PET tracers (mentioned above) which  significantly improved detection of prostate cancer and it’s metastasis.

 

Well informed all round

 

Important to know

  • Please bring pictures from preliminary examinations with you.

  • No special preparations are required in advance. You can have a small breakfast on the day of the examination.

  • Drink plenty of water one hour before the examination.

  • 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 48 hours before the exam we will have to reschedule you. You can of course also call us if you are not reachable.

 

How a PET-CT works

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

  • Then wait 90 minutes in a lying position to achieve the appropriate tracer distribution and enrichment.

  • The recording in the scanner takes about 20minutes.

  • 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.

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.).