(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new diagnostic imaging tool to detect prostate cancer that has come back after treatment.
Axumin, an injected, radioactive diagnostic agent, was approved in men with suspected recurrent prostate cancer based on elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of death in men in the US, according to the FDA.
Axumin, approved for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, is meant to help doctors detect recurrent prostate cancer. It does not treat the cancer.
A radioactive substance, Axumin should be handled with care, according to the FDA.
Two studies found that Axumin appeared safe and effective. Common adverse events reported with Axumin use included redness or pain at the injection site and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Blue Earth Diagnostics markets Axumin.
