PET scans in prostate cancer detection

August 30, 2019

healthcaretoday, Cancer, cancer in men, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, male hormones, testosterone, elderly men, aging men, younger men, men, cancer cells, MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan,

By Dr Aminudin Rahman Mohd Mydin,
Clinical and Radiation Oncologist Resident Consultant,
KPJ Damansara Hospital

Prostate cancer, a significant health issue among Malaysian men, is escalating at an alarming rate. However, awareness about the dangers associated with this disease lags far behind.

Cancer is a prevalent condition with various factors, including dietary choices and lifestyle, contributing to its occurrence. While discussions about cancer in the public sphere often revolve around breast cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer, prostate cancer remains somewhat enigmatic.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The incidence of prostate cancer is on the rise, primarily due to the aging demographic in Malaysia, with a significant impact on men above the age of 60. As men grow older, the prostate undergoes changes, leading to a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH is characterized by the enlargement of the prostate, which can exert pressure on the urinary system, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This is a common issue experienced by elderly men, and it is often discussed in medical circles. However, what may come as a surprise to many is that BPH can also be linked to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is believed to be influenced by male hormones, specifically testosterone. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, and it often coexists with BPH. In the past, especially in Western countries, prostate cancer was frequently discovered incidentally during autopsies of elderly men who had passed away from natural causes.

However, there are instances of prostate cancer diagnoses among younger men. Much like the rise of breast and cervical cancer among younger women, prostate cancer is following a similar trend.

While prostate cancer in younger men is relatively rare, the concern lies in the aggressive nature of these cancer cells. The aggressiveness of prostate cancer is typically assessed through a blood test called prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

PET scan to detect cancer
There is ongoing debate about the utility of PSA testing. To confirm the presence of cancer, patients with elevated PSA levels typically undergo a biopsy, during which needle-core samples are taken from the prostate gland.

Once prostate cancer is confirmed, the next step is determining the cancer's stage.

Traditionally, MRI and CT scans have been the go-to methods, but the PET scan is an alternative approach. A PET scan involves injecting a contrast agent to detect cancer (pix). It is often liken to a color television, as it offers enhanced visibility of cancer cells compared to the black-and-white images produced by CT scans.