Neuroendocrine Differentiation of Prostate Cancer Metastases Evidenced in Vivo by 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT: Two Cases

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in men. This neoplasm has usually excellent prognosis, mostly consequent to the early diagnosis and the effective hormonal therapy. However, significant percentages of patients treated with total androgen blockade therapy, escape to treatment and evolve toward a more aggressive type of cancer. This clinical entity, named castration-resistant prostate cancer, has few and less effective therapeutic opportunities. Therefore, any additional information concerning possible biological targets to therapy is welcome. Here we describe two cases in which ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT evidenced the somatostatin receptor overexpression by prostate metastases. The presence of these receptors may support with a more strong evidence the possibility to administer somatostatin analogs as an adjuvant therapy.




World J Oncol. 2014;5(2):72-76
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjon739w