PSMA PET Scan for Prostate Cancer

Author: Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C

Content Contributor: Philipose Mulugeta, MD, and Victor Babatunde, MD

Last Reviewed: March 9, 2026

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What is a PSMA-PET scan, and what is it used for?

This test is used to check your body for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) cancer cells. It can help with the diagnosis and treatment planning of recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer.

You will have this test in the PET scan or Nuclear Medicine department of your healthcare facility. Nuclear medicine is a type of radiology that uses radioactive materials to diagnose or treat diseases. This type of scan is very specialized and not available at every healthcare center.

How is this test done?

This test uses a radiotracer to find the PSMA cancer cells. This radioactive tracer targets PSMA cells by binding to the receptor.

Radiotracers used in this scan include

Gallium-68 PSMA 11 (Illuccix®, Locametz®)
Flourine-18 (F-18) Pylarify® (piflufolastat F-18)
Fluorine-18 (F-18) Posluma® (flutufolastat F18)

An IV (intravenous, into a vein) is placed. The radioactive tracer will then be given through your IV. The amount of radiation used is very small. A CT scan and then a PET scan are done to see the areas where the radiotracer has been attached. The test takes about 2 hours.

A PET machine makes an image of your body on the screen. Areas with a higher amount of radiotracer will show up as a bright spot on the image. Normal and abnormal (cancer sites) can appear as bright spots. An imaging specialist (radiologist or nuclear medicine physician) will look at your scan and give a summary of your test results.

Possible Side Effects

You may have

Pain or a burning feeling, redness, swelling, numbness, or warm/hot skin where you have the IV. This should go away on its own. You can use warm or cold compresses if you need to.
You may also have a metallic, sour, or bad taste in your mouth after receiving the tracer. This should also go away on its own.

After the Test

You can go back to your normal activities after the test when you are ready. Talk with your provider about how much water you should drink after the test to help flush the tracer out of your body.

This scan is an important tool in diagnosing and treating metastatic or recurrent prostate cancer. Be sure to review your results with your provider. They can explain what the findings mean and how they may guide your care.