68Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/computed tomography in benign and malignant prostatic lesions: a study of maximum standardized uptake value and uptake patterns with clinicopathological correlation.

Abstract

AimAssessment of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) values and patterns of uptake on 68Ga prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/computed tomography (CT) in benign and malignant prostatic lesions.MethodsRetrospective observational study of prostate cancer patients referred for 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for initial staging. SUVmax of the prostatic lesion was correlated with risk category, International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade groups, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and Gleason score. Uptake patterns across risk categories were also evaluated.ResultsA total of 325 subjects were included (14 benign and 311 malignant). Median SUVmax of benign lesions was 8.29. Grade groups 4 and 5 showed significantly higher median SUVmax values (26.42 and 26.55) than other grade groups. SUVmax correlated positively with ISUP grade group, Gleason score, and serum PSA (all P ConclusionSUVmax differentiates high-risk from low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer and may serve as a noninvasive independent prognostic marker. Intraprostatic uptake pattern has no significant role in lesion categorization.