Dr. Tan on Imaging Modalities in Prostate Cancer

Winston Tan, MD, hematologist/oncologist, Mayo Clinic, discusses imaging modalities in prostate cancer.

Access to conventional imaging tools versus some of the more sensitive imaging modalities varies from institution to institution, says Tan. Most academic centers have access to PET scans and MRIs, whereas those who practice in smaller towns may only have access to computed tomography scans and bone scans.

Notably, newer imaging tools have not completely replaced conventional imaging. However, several corporations are building PET centers. In the future, there may be more imaging centers with PET scans, but they will also include different tracers, which are more accurate in locating certain types of metastasis, explains Tan.

There is a need for more sensitive imaging tools, but cost has been a barrier in bringing these modalities to practice, he adds. Right now, fluciclovine or Axumin PET scans are only indicated for patients with rising prostate-specific antigen; they're not indicated for patients with metastasis. Additional scans are being studied in clinical trials, including the PET prostate-specific membrane antigen scans, which might change the treatment paradigm in the metastatic setting, concludes Tan.