PSMA/PET Imaging for Prostate Cancer

Welcome to the 2023 ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit! In this segment, hear about PSMA/PET imaging for prostate cancer from Dr. Daneil Kuftinec.

[mm]

I've just been diagnosed with PC. The biopsy results indicated 8 of 12 samples were positive for Adenocarcinoma. (6) were Gleason scores of 3+3. (2) were Gleason scores of 3+4. Then I saw the Perineural Invasion on 1 biopsy, 3+3. Did a lot of education on this PNI and became confused. Found out PNI means the cancer is growing in our touching a nerve within the prostate. Obviously I became more concerned that the cancer has spread. Reviewed several excellent Youtube presentations including this one and became aware of the PSMA Pet Scan. Wow, as a non-clinical individual why not have this completed initially and then determine how to proceed with Prostate Cancer? Unless some medical professionals have another objective?

[Truth_Addict]

Its well proven that PSMA/PET should be used instead of using needle core samples for the intital detection of Prostrate cancer. Insurance companies dont want this secret to get out. PSMA/PET has %90 detection rate and can go up to %98 combined with CT. The standard 12 needle core tissue samples have %40-%70 detection rate. PSMA/ PET is far better technology and needs to be used for initial detection instead of needle biopsy.

[toddmorrison]

My MRI came back negative; however, my biopsy revealed 4+3=7 in four out of 12 samples taken. After watching this, I hope my urologist agrees that a PSMA/PET scan is in order. At this point, even though radiation therapy has greatly improved over the years, I'm still leaning toward surgery to allay my concerns of a prostate specific recurrence. Not an easy decision by any stretch.

[carlr]

The PSMA/Pet scan is great in some cases, but it does not always give helpful results. When diagnosed I had a PSA of 12. They did an MRI to determine likely areas to biopsy, then drew samples from those areas. Several showed some tumor growth, most were 3+3, but two were 3+4. It was considered unlikely that it had spread, but they tested anyway. A bone scan showed several suspicious areas in my ribs. A CT scan revealed that most were related to previously broken ribs, but three were still suspicious. They wanted to follow it up with a PSMA/Pet, but Medicare wouldn't pay for it, so I paid $4800 for it out of pocket. The result was ambiguous, and not helpful, reading about 2-3 in the three suspicious area. As I understand it, 25 is the minimum to confirm cancer, and 0 means no cancer, so 2-3 means maybe a small, early tumor, or maybe a false positive? I really don't know.

To me it seems that targeted radiation at the three specific points as a preemptive strike, to eliminate any cancer that might or might not be there would be a good idea, as it would take me back to a relatively safe situation where the cancer is only in the prostate, but I'm told that radiation can not be done without an absolute confirmation that cancer is actually present. Since the cancer is small, if present at all, a bone biopsy would likely be negative even if cancer is there. So, it seems that I have few options. One would be to have the prostate removed, and see it the PSA goes to zero. The other, which I am doing, is to take Bicalutamide to keep the cancer at bay everywhere, until it becomes no longer hormone dependent, and then take further action. My PSA is still falling, and down to 3.5, but I have no idea is simply waiting will end up being a decision I regret.

[colemant]

Excellent presentation and Clarity. Thank You. I too am re-current PSA of 3.0 after 8 years of a PSA of only 0.3 (Radiation Treatment). Thought I was "Cured". My Urologist has ordered a PSMA Scan. My biggest worry is the Cancer is now Metastatic... which I fear is a high probability? I understand now what is ahead. Again... Thank You!

[Alfy]

Very complete and useful explanation you give here of the different tests. Thanks!

[arms]

Excellent explanation of PSMA PET / CT use and indications in Prostate cancer

[nvan]

Excellent presentation. My dilemma is still having elevated PSA six-months post-TURP, latest biopsy only shows a few cores with low grade cancer (Gleason 3+3). Finally in the queue for a PSMA PET scan which should provide a clearer picture of my diagnosis. The MRI's I have had in the past have been inconclusive (Pirads-3).

[rickwyant]

My scan came back clean except for what was described as a small, vague possibility on my seminal vesicle. Going through 39 treatments

[robertmonroe]

16:00 shows great use and result from PSMA scan. At some point that person might be a candidate for follow-up Radio-guided surgery (Pylarify given again prior to surgery and surgeon can view and excise the avid cancerous tissue).
Of course the PSMA dream is the ability to view all cancerous tissue and thus sort out the proper primary therapies for all intermediate risk cancer patients.

[robbujold]

Thank you for this. I have unfavorable intermediate risk with 9 of 13 positive cores and cancer on both sides of the prostate. I’m hoping my radiation oncologist will agree to a PSMA PET scan before we decide whether or not to radiate the whole pelvic area. CT and bone scans were negative for metastasis. We’re leaning toward not radiating the whole pelvic area, and I like the idea of minimizing side effects by just focusing on the prostrate, but I’m worried we may be losing out on our first and best shot to deal with my cancer.

[JustaReadingguy]

Thanks for your presentation. These examples are exciting news and I am sure the availability will become more wide spread and the costs will hopefully come down, and be used earlier in disease. One question I have is could the chemistry used that attaches to the cancer membranes be transformed into some kind of higher accuracy screening test? For example, could an injection of the attaching chemical, without the radioactive element, be made and the dwell time measured or something. A longer time could show an attachment to cancer. Sure this not the way it would be done, but something could be measured that relates directly to cancer attachment?

[drsmsaracino]

I had 12 cores Gleason 9 cancer. PSMA showed no cancer including my prostate.

[ryamaha]

WHAT? First she said 35, 000 die from it. It is the second leading death in men!
THEN she goes on to say most men do not die from prostate cancer. You lost all creditability!

[dalemiller]

So are you a oncologist or just a scare tactic news reader 😢