Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT Detection of Prostate Cancer Metastasis to Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilages

Clin Nucl Med. 2024 May 1;49(5):481-483. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000005111. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Abstract

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT has revolutionized the imaging of prostate cancer. Historically, prostate cancer metastasis to thyroid and cricoid cartilages was thought to be exceedingly rare, with only a few reported cases in the literature. Prostate cancer metastasis to the laryngeal cartilages was detected in 4 of 221 patients who underwent imaging with 18 F-PSMA (Pylarify) or 68 Ga-PSMA (Illuccix) PET/CT for initial staging of high-risk prostate cancer or restaging evaluation in the setting of biochemical recurrence from April 2022 through October 2023. The increased sensitivity and specificity of PSMA PET/CT allow for the detection of previously occult metastatic disease.

MeSH terms

  • Cricoid Cartilage / diagnostic imaging
  • Cricoid Cartilage / pathology
  • Female
  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen