Positron emission tomography and prostate cancer

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a major imaging modality in oncology. Fluorodeoxyglucose (F.D.G.) PET is of limited usefulness in prostate cancer, be it for initial staging or for detection of recurrence. New PET tracers could improve PET performances in prostate cancer staging and when recurrence is suspected. Lipid metabolism tracers, such as choline and fluorine-18-labelled choline analogues, seem to be promising in these indications. The impact of these PET examinations on patient management should be further evaluated, taking into consideration the new therapeutic strategies, in particular salvage local treatment in case of isolated local recurrence. (authors)