[PSMA PET, an important addition in prostate cancer diagnostics]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2023 Jan 4:167:D6950.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

PSMA PET/CT is a diagnostic technique for patients with prostate cancer. It makes use of a radioligand that specifically binds to 'prostate specific membrane antigen' (PSMA), expressed by the prostate cancer cells. PSMA PET has proven to be highly effective in prostate cancer diagnostics in both primary staging and re-staging. PSMA PET/CT has a much higher accuracy than traditional CT and skeletal scintigraphy for the detection of metastases, allowing metastases to be detected in an earlier stage. The clinical relevance of the improved detection is now under investigation. Staging with PSMA PET/CT sometimes leads to avoiding surgery because distant metastases are found that were not detected with conventional imaging. In the Netherlands, PSMA PET/CT is now indicated both in primary prostate cancer diagnostics for the detection of metastases and for the detection of biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy or after radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Prostate* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen* / analysis
  • Prostatectomy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radionuclide Imaging* / methods

Substances

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen