Prostate cancer could benefit from positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) scans, which shows promise for being a useful staging and therapeutic tool for the cancer, according to new research.
Three new studies have indicated that findings in Europe could help expand the potential use of C-11 choline PET scans. One of the studies found that the scans can be used as a staging tool instead of multiple x-rays, and two other studies have supported the use of PET scans to evaluate people with recurrent prostate cancer.
These findings are significant, seeing as though it is important to distinguish localized disease recurrence from systemic recurrence in the fight to pick the best treatment to follow initial treatment failure.
Positron emission tomography uses a small amount of radioactive material to uncover how well tissues and organs are functioning.
MedIndia quoted R. Jeffrey Karnes, who led all three studies, as saying, "Taken together, the three studies presented today represent an important validation of the C-11 choline PET/CT scan as a staging tool for patients with prostate cancer. We believe the use of these scans can improve the staging and treatment of this common form of cancer, while potentially reducing the cost of delivering the best possible care."
The research was presented at a meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association.
