False Positives on — PSMA PET-CT

A false positive is when a normal area of the body takes up the PSMA tracer and appears potentially suspicious, even though no cancer is present there. On PSMA PET-CT this happens most often at coeliac ganglia and healing fractures. The CT images from the same scan allow most to be identified correctly. No imaging modality is entirely free of false positives, which is why experienced reporting and clinical context both matter.

False positives are uncommon on PSMA PET-CT rather than routine. The scan has a lower false positive rate than conventional bone scan or CT for prostate cancer staging, according to published studies and guidance from EANM and ESMO. The main sources — coeliac ganglia and healing fractures — are well-characterised and routinely accounted for by experienced readers. Your report may note where careful differentiation was needed, which reflects thorough interpretation rather than a cause for alarm.

Healing bone increases blood flow and activates bone-forming cells, both of which raise tracer uptake at the repair site. This can mimic a bone metastasis on the PET images. The CT component of the same scan usually shows the fracture line or callus that confirms it is repair rather than disease. Telling your team about any prior fractures or bone surgery before your scan helps the radiologist account for them in the report rather than flagging them as uncertain.

Your oncologist will explain the options. A repeat scan after a defined interval shows whether the finding changes — true metastases tend to grow or multiply, while benign findings stay stable or disappear. An MRI of the specific site can add structural detail. Biopsy is occasionally needed but is not the default for every uncertain finding. Your team will weigh these options against your PSA trend and overall clinical picture before recommending a path.

PSMA PET-CT is arranged through partner imaging centres coordinated by CION, not at CION centres directly. The indicative cost is around ₹23,999, though this should be treated as a guide — pricing and scan availability are confirmed at the time of booking, as tracer supply for PSMA scans is scheduled in advance. Your care coordinator can check availability and confirm the current cost when you enquire.

Yes. Telling your team about any fracture, joint replacement, or bone procedure from the past few years allows the radiologist to note these sites when reading the scan. A healing site explained by a known history can be reported confidently as benign; the same site without that context may prompt additional investigation to rule out disease. You do not need old records — a brief verbal account of the location and approximate timing is usually enough.