Clinical Management Decisions for Recurrent Prostate Cancer Patients Based on [11C]Acetate PET Scan

When evaluating prostate cancer patients for recurrent disease, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are both highly sensitive methods for detecting lymph nodes, but are not specific as to whether the lymph nodes are malignant or benign. While positron emission tomography (PET) utilizing radioactive glucose (FDG) has revolutionized staging, restaging, and monitoring response to therapy in many prevalent cancers such as breast, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, and melanoma, findings with prostate cancer have proven less sensitive because prostate cancer has a lower avidity for glucose. A newer PET isotope, utilizing acetate that is incorporated into the cell membrane of rapidly proliferating cells, has shown greater sensitivity than FDG in detecting prostate cancer. This study will assess the clinical effectiveness of utilizing \[11C\]Acetate PET scans in identifying recurrent prostate cancer.

Sex

Male

Minimum age

45 Years

Maximum age

80 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Positive for recurrent prostate cancer by PSA criteria
* Recurrence definition:
* Status post-operative radical prostatectomy, recurrence is defined by a PSA of greater than or equal to 0.2 ng/ml
* Patients who have failed external beam radiation, or status post-brachytherapy, have recurrence as defined as PSA above 2.0 ng/ml the nadir PSA after treatment
* Subject is able to comprehend the study objectives and provide written informed consent before the initiation of any study-related procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status of ≥ 2
* Any other concurrent malignancy
* Patients without remission of disease (no PSA decrease)
* Patients without recurrence of disease (PSA remains low)