Novel Imaging in Detection of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Purpose of ReviewThis review aims to highlight the limitations of current standard-of-care prostate cancer (PCa) imaging and discuss novel clinical imaging in advanced disease.Recent FindingsPCa staging through imaging is important for proper selections in clinical treatment. Traditional imaging techniques for metastatic disease (i.e., computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and radionuclide bone scan) have suboptimal performance in early recurrent or metastatic disease. Novel positron emission tomography agents including radiolabeled prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), choline, and anti-F-18-fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (F-18-FACBC) have demonstrated improved sensitivity and specificity in initial staging and early biochemical recurrence (BCR).SummaryConventional imaging modalities for PCa incompletely characterize disease burden. The development of new PET tracers in combination with CT and MRI offers superior anatomic localization and biologic correlation of tumor sites, which enhance providers' abilities to make appropriate decisions regarding treatment.