Incidental detection by [11C]choline PET/CT of meningiomas in prostate cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Anti-androgenic hormonal therapy in prostate cancer patients with concomitant meningioma may result in tumor growth and development of neurological symptoms. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [11C]choline is used for restaging prostate cancer patients with biochemical failure. In vitro and in vivo data support altered choline metabolism in meningiomas.


METHODS
During a retrospective study in prostate cancer patients with biochemical failure referred to our institution between November 2004 and January 2007, encephalic focal uptake of [11C]choline was incidentally noted in 4 patients, 2 of which had been taking luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs.


RESULTS
Subsequent to the incidental finding, one patient underwent surgical removal of the meningioma; strict neuroradiological follow-up was planned for the 3 other patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that in prostate cancer patients candidate for anti-androgenic therapy the whole body [11C]choline PET/CT scan should include the whole skull to check for the possible presence of meningiomas. This could help to identify patients at risk for the development of neurological symptoms during anti-androgenic therapy and help the referring urologist in the clinical management of these patients.
Fallanca
F
F
Department of Nuclear Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
Giovacchini
G
G
Picchio
M
M
Bettinardi
V
V
Messa
C
C
Fazio
F
F
D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals