The use of 18F-PSMA-1007 and the role of PET/MR in the diagnosis of prostate cancer are not conclusively confirmed. There are reports indicating the potential pros and cons of using 18F-PSMA-1007 as well as the PET/MR technique in prostate cancer recurrence, but they are not yet included in the EAU guidelines. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR in detecting BCR lesions at very low PSA levels <0.5 ng/mL.
Methods: Sixty patients with BCR after radical prostatectomy (RP) with PSA ranged 0.1-0.5 ng/mL were enrolled in a prospective study. All patients underwent simultaneous whole-body and pelvic 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR. The obtained results were verified by 12-month follow-up.
Results: Fifty-three lesions were detected in 45 patients with 75% detection rate. The mean PSA value was 0.31 ng/mL. Of all PSMA-positive foci, 91% were localized in the pelvis, and only 9% of lesions were located in the extrapelvic region. Local recurrences were detected in 29%, PSMA-positive lymph nodes were detected in 64% of patients and bone metastases lesions were detected in 7% of patients.
Conclusions: 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/MR seems to be an excellent diagnostic tool in patients with early BCR with very low PSA levels, especially with dt PSA < 6 months. The synergistic effect of combining 18F-PSMA-1007 and whole-body PET/MR with precise multiparametric assessment of pelvic lesions is of particular benefit in early BCR.
Keywords: 18F-PSMA-1007; PET/MR; prostate cancer.