Jackson Hospital | Partners | Winter 2019

10 Jackson Hospital EARLIEST DETECTION of prostate cancer, only at Jackson Hospital CANCER CARE Montgomery for the latest technology, and they won’t have to wait long for the results. Jackson Hospital uses the Axumin scan, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, to help with early detection of recurrent prostate cancer in patients who have undergone surgery or radiation. Before Axumin, PSA (prostate- specific antigen) tests and bone scans were the only ways to detect the possibil- ity of recurrent cancer. However, even those tests couldn’t determine the exact location of the cancer unless a patient’s PSA levels were very high. With Axumin, recurrent disease location can be identi- fied with PSA levels of less than 10. Seeing incredible details Patients are given an IV containing Axu- min and just a few minutes later, they undergo a PET scan and a CT scan. Both scans are reviewed, and when combined, they allow doctors to see incredible details of physiologic changes alongside detailed images of a patient’s anatomy. Using this technique, doctors can better Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for regular prostate exams. If you do not have a primary care physician, visit jacksonclinic.org . pinpoint the exact location and extent of the cancer. Less time This technology offers multiple advantages for patients. The PET/CT scan only takes about 30 minutes with Axumin, and it is completely pain- less. Once scans are read by an imaging specialist, the results are usually available in a few days. Earlier detection Undergoing an Axumin injection and PET scan offers patients the convenience of only undergoing one test in a single day, compared to PSA tests and bone scans taking days to complete. Most important, this procedure allows for earlier detection of recurrent prostate cancer, giving patients the best chance at early treatment and survival. Jackson Hospital is the only hospital in the area using PET (positron emission tomography) prostate scan tech- nology. This breakthrough technology can save the lives of prostate cancer patients who would otherwise have to wait to find out if their cancer has returned. Patients will no longer have to travel outside of