The Utility of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in Decisions Regarding Administering Salvage Radiotherapy to Men with Prostate Cancer

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 29;20(1):537. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010537.

Abstract

Background: Numerous papers have described 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)'s sensitivity in identifying prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence. This study aimed to characterize the role of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in deciding to re-irradiate pelvic structures.

Methods: 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scans performed at Sheba Medical Center over seven years in 113 men were reviewed. All had undergone radiation to the prostate (70, 61.9%) or post-radical prostatectomy radiation to the prostate fossa (PF) (43, 48.1%), and had local or oligometastatic PCa recurrence and received salvage radiotherapy (SRT) based on PET/CT findings.

Results: Mean age was 70.7 years. The mean grade group was 2.9; the mean prostate-specific antigen was 9.0. The 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT positive findings included: 37 (32.7%) in the prostate, 23 (20.4%) in seminal vesicles, 7 (6.2%) in the PF, and 3 (2.7%) in the seminal vesicle fossa. The mean standardized uptake value was 10.6 ± 10.2 (range: 1.4-61.6); the mean lesion size was 1.8 ± 3.5 mm (range: 0.5-5.1). SRT was directed toward the prostate and seminal vesicles in 48 (42.5%), PF in 18 (15.9%), and intrapelvic lymph node and bone in 47 (41.6%). Toxicities were mostly mild to moderate.

Conclusion: 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT-identified relapse with targeted SRT was well-tolerated and may result in less onerous treatments.

Keywords: 68Ga-PSMA; PET-CT; prostate cancer; radiation therapy; salvage therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / radiotherapy
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • gallium 68 PSMA-11
  • Gallium Radioisotopes

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.