The Role of Nuclear Medicine in Imaging and Therapy of Prostate Cancer: The State of the Art

Urol Clin North Am. 2025 Feb;52(1):13-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2024.07.004. Epub 2024 Oct 10.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. In recent years, nuclear medicine has played an expanding role in diagnosing, staging, monitoring, and treating PCa. Specifically, the introduction of prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/computed tomography has significantly contributed to detecting locoregional and distant disease. Radioligand therapy, with its capacity to induce highly selective cytotoxic effects, is progressively being integrated into PCa therapy. The advent of novel therapeutic agents, additional indications, and a more comprehensive integration between nuclear imaging and therapy, represent the forefront of nuclear medicine in PCa.

Keywords: Nuclear medicine; PET; Prostate cancer; Prostate-specific membrane antigen; Radioligand therapy; Theranostics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nuclear Medicine* / methods
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals