Advances in Metabolic Imaging in Patients with Elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)

Prostate cancer is difficult to visualise in its early stages and after definitive therapy (radiation, prostatectomy) and PSA-failure using current imaging technology. The present update aims to clarify the utility of PET (positron emission tomography) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with proton MR spectroscopy (MRS). Past and current literature of both metabolic imaging modalities are reviewed. Although still under investigation, PET as well as MRI/MRS already have relative indications in staging and restaging of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.