Jupiter Medical Center Targets Prostate Cancer with PSMA PET-CT Scans

Jupiter Medical Center, the area’s only independent, not-for-profit hospital, is now offering Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET-CT scans to accurately stage prostate cancer. The test is used to stage newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients and in patients who had their prostate removed but now present with increasing levels of PSA (a prostate activity marker) in their blood, indicating that their cancer may have recurred.

“We are pleased to offer the latest in prostate cancer testing and diagnosis,” said Adam Kotkiewicz, DO, Board Certified Oncologist at Jupiter Medical Center’s Anderson Family Cancer Institute. “When treating cancer, it is important to be as precise and localized as possible, and access to this technology will help our world-class cancer care specialists do exactly that.”

PSMA is a peptide (a very small protein) that is expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells. In a PSMA PET-CT scan, a molecule that specifically binds to this peptide is linked to a radioactive isotope. When this specific compound is injected into a patient, it will bind to any cells in the body which express PSMA on their surface, which can then be seen through the PET-CT scan.

“Jupiter Medical Center is well-known for its leading-edge cancer care,” says Rogerio C. Lilenbaum, MD, FACP, FASCO, Director of The Anderson Family Cancer Institute at Jupiter Medical Center. “For more than 35 years, we have provided the community with a full continuum of advanced cancer care, positioning Jupiter Medical Center as the best in the region. This is one more example of our commitment to this cause. In addition to the diagnostic component, we will soon be using PSMA technology to treat prostate cancer.”

Lilenbaum joined Jupiter Medical Center earlier this year, bringing extensive education and professional experience in cancer care. He has held physician executive roles at Yale Cancer Center, Yale New Haven Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Banner Health, and Cleveland Clinic, and as an experienced research scientist, he will spearhead the relationship with UF Health relating to clinical programs, research and graduate medical education.

The Anderson Family Cancer Institute at Jupiter Medical Center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Program. Only 30 percent of cancer programs in the United States hold this accreditation. For questions or to schedule a PSMA PET-CT, call 561-263-4414.