Diagnostic tools
Our team of prostate cancer experts uses advanced diagnostic tests and tools to accurately locate and stage the disease, and plan your individualized treatment. Throughout your treatment at City of Hope, we use imaging and laboratory tests to track the size of the tumors, monitor your response to treatment and modify your treatment if needed.
In addition to many important, standard tests—such as digital rectal exams, biopsies, ultrasounds, bone scans and PSA tests—City of Hope also offers advanced diagnostic evaluations and technologies.
Among many others, City of Hope offers the following diagnostic evaluations to prostate cancer patients.
Active surveillance
Active surveillance is a treatment approach in which patients are monitored closely for changes in the progression of their cancer and are tested at regular intervals. This approach is reserved for patients with slow-growing, localized cancers who are not experiencing symptoms related to prostate cancer.
Active surveillance can be an option for patients whose prostate cancer is:
- Not causing any symptoms
- Expected to grow slowly
- Small and contained within the prostate
Advanced genomic testing
The most common lab test for prostate cancer is advanced genomic testing, which examines a tumor to look for DNA alterations that are driving the growth of cancer. By identifying the mutations that occur in a cancer cell's genome, we can better understand the tumor behavior, and may be able to tailor your treatment based on these findings.
CT scan
A CT scan is a common tool for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. A CT scan is an X-ray procedure that uses a computer to produce three-dimensional, cross-sectional images of the inside of your body. A CT scan can reveal blood flow and anatomy of tissues in and around your prostate, allowing for the diagnosis and monitoring of tumor growth.
MRI
MRI technology uses radiofrequency waves, powerful magnets and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional pictures of the prostate, and is able to distinguish between normal and diseased tissue. An MRI is especially useful for the prostate, due to greater soft tissue contrast.
PET/CT scan
A PET/CT scan for prostate cancer creates detailed, computerized pictures of your prostate, allowing your doctors to know where the healthy tissue ends and the tumor begins. A PET/CT scan is especially useful for prostate cancer because the results may reveal cancerous cells before any tumors or structural changes are present, which is important in helping catch the disease early.
Fluciclovine scan
A fluciclovine scan (also known as an Axumin PET/CT exam) is a nuclear medicine study using a PET/CT. This scan may be used to identify recurrent disease in patients previously treated for prostate cancer who have an increased PSA test result.
Ultrasound
This technology may be used to help monitor prostate size, tumor response or activity in other tissues.
