Purpose: This research study was conducted to evaluate the impact of (68Ga)-tagged prostatic-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT), compare its role with conventional radiology in early staging of high-risk prostate cancer, and calculate the PSMA score evaluating its usefulness in 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT reporting in our patient population.
Material and methods: 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT of 65 high-risk cases of prostate cancer was performed for staging purpo-ses. Any change in disease stage was noted after 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT findings and PSMA score leading to a change in the management plan.
Results: Change in disease stage post-PSMA imaging was seen in 39% cases, high PSMA score (03) was noted in > 80% of upstaged cases, while low score (0) and (1) was seen in 65% and 35% down-staged individuals, respectively. Change in therapeutic decision-making was observed in 32% (21) of patients.
Conclusions: 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT scans have a significant influence on the planned clinical management of high-risk prostate cancer patients; hence, they can be utilized as a replacement for radiological imaging tools, particularly in the detection of pelvic nodal and distant metastatic disease. PSMA score can be considered as an effective tool in standardized reporting of 68Ga-PSMA imaging.
Keywords: 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT; PSMA score; radiologic imaging; therapeutic decision-making.
© Pol J Radiol 2023.