Dual tracer 11C-choline and FDG-PET in the diagnosis of biochemical prostate cancer relapse after radical treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate a dual tracer 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D: -glucose (FDG) and (11)C-choline positron emission tomography (PET) protocol in the detection of biochemical prostate cancer relapse.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients (median Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test value 2.7 ng/ml (1.1-5.4)) after radical treatment. PET scans were performed by means of a ECAT-Exact HR+ in the first 18 patients and in a PET/computed tomography Biograph II in the remaining 55 patients.


RESULTS
The sensitivity of (11)C-choline and FDG was 60.6% and 31%. In PSA levels over 1.9 ng/ml, sensitivity increased to 80% and 40%, respectively. In the group receiving adjuvant hormone therapy, the diagnostic yields were 71.2% and 43%, respectively. While (11)C-choline-PET could not differentiate well and poorly differentiated Gleason score patients, FDG-PET results were almost significant (p = 0.058).


CONCLUSIONS
A PSA value higher than 1.9 ng/ml determines a significant increase in the diagnostic yield. Adjuvant hormonotherapy has no influence on the PET results. FDG has a better correlation with the Gleason score than (11)C-choline.
Richter
José A
JA
Nuclear Medicine Department, Clínica Universitaria, Universidad de Navarra, Avenida Pío XII 36, Pamplona, Spain. jarichter@unav.es
Rodríguez
Macarena
M
Rioja
Jorge
J
Peñuelas
Iván
I
Martí-Climent
Josep
J
Garrastachu
Puy
P
Quincoces
Gemma
G
Zudaire
Javier
J
García-Velloso
María J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002794:Choline; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D002794:Choline