Advanced imaging uncovers hidden metastases in high-risk prostate cancer cases

Medical Xpress / University of California, Los Angeles / JAMA Network Open ^ | Jan. 3, 2025 | Dr. Adrien Holzgreve et al

[ConservativeMind]

A study has found that many cases of high-risk nonmetastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer may be more advanced than previously thought.

The study found that nearly half of high-risk prostate cancer patients previously classified as nonmetastatic by conventional imaging actually have metastatic disease when evaluated with advanced prostate-specific membrane antigen–positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) imaging, suggesting that traditional imaging may underestimate how far the cancer has spread in many cases.

This advanced imaging technology plays a critical role in redefining how prostate cancer is staged. PSMA-PET imaging uses tiny amounts of radioactive "tracers," called radiotracers, that binds to prostate cancer cells, making them visible on PET scans.

Unlike conventional imaging, which provides only anatomical details, PSMA-PET offers functional imaging that reveals the cancer's biological activity, which can significantly improve the accuracy of disease staging.

To better understand the advantages of PSMA-PET over conventional imaging, researchers conducted a post-hoc, retrospective cross-sectional study using data from 182 patients with high-risk recurrent prostate cancers who were thought to have disease limited to the prostate and were eligible for the EMBARK trial.

This clinical trial previously demonstrated that adding enzalutamide, a type of hormone therapy, to androgen deprivation therapy significantly improves metastasis-free survival. However, the trial relied on conventional imaging to classify patients, which researchers believe might have underestimated the disease's extent in some cases.

In the cohort of patients, the researchers found PSMA-PET detected cancer metastases in 46% of patients, even though traditional imaging had suggested no evidence of cancer spread. Based on PSMA-PET, 24% of the patients even showed five or more lesions that had been missed by conventional imaging.

These results challenge the interpretation of previous studies, like the EMBARK trial.

[ConservativeMind]

PSMA-PET scans are now available in most cities. It seems they are much better at finding higher-risk prostate cancers.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Robert357]

bump for reference

[shaggy eel]

,,, thanks for posting this. I had a PET scan last August. It showed cancer. The urologist told me they expected it but either that scan or the biopsy - can’t recall which - confirmed there was a second, more aggresive type of cancer as well. I had a blood test [PSA] mid December and my oncologist told me the result showed “undetectable”. Three monthly blood tests now, which, all going well, will turn into six monthly intervals and I’m on watch for five years.

[ptsal]

bkmk

[ptsal]

Well, remember the alternative meds...
You are ultimately in control of your health treatment.

[The Antiyuppie]

What an evil disease. I saw a doctor on television who said that he had never done an autopsy on an 85+ year old man who did NOT have prostate cancer when tested for this.

[shaggy eel]

,,, thanks.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Beside avoiding things like soy, Learn to enjoy curry! Ginger and turmeric (Curcumin) help to prevent prostate cancer.

Effect of ginger, chamomile, and green tea extracts on prostate cancer cells

"snip..... Cell viability was measured using the MTT technique. Fig. 1A shows that chamomile and green tea exhibited mild cytotoxic effects on treated cells. In contrast, as seen in micrographs (Fig. 1B), the ginger extract significantly decreased the percentage of viable cancer cells among those treated with DMSO and other extracts."

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Benefits of whole ginger extract in prostate cancer

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Curcumin inhibits prostate cancer progression by regulating the miR‑30a‑5p/PCLAF axis

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AND mushrooms! (Turkeytail supplement....we have them here in the US. )

Mushroom compound suppresses prostate tumors

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And White Button mushrooms! White button mushroom extract may help slow progression of prostate cancer

Researchers point to the fact that white button mushrooms contain polysaccharides (β-glucan), which are known to play a role in immune response in cells when included in the diet. They state that other studies have been done showing that the same impact of polysaccharides taken from mushrooms on myeloid-derived suppressor cells in other studies by other teams, pointing to a potential reason for their findings.

“Overall, this paper not only opens the field to more research to better understand the mechanism conferring this additional effect but also suggests that b-glycans could have broader cancer applications, making mushroom-based compounds a promising addition to the future of immunotherapy,” Meunier said.

“Identifying the specific β-glucan from white button mushrooms responsible for its immune-boosting effects could help further cancer treatment. It would be important to pinpoint the precise β-glucan and understand its molecular action to optimize this additive effect in existing treatments,” he explained.

[shaggy eel]

,,, good one Pete, thanks. I’m scoffing tomatoes and watermelon too. Tumeric and ginger are increasingly talked about where I am but button mushrooms is a new one on me.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I thought these were great too! Among other things, I have been having ginger and green tea for a while and started adding the tumeric. Mushrooms are just food, and I have been having them all along!

I have BHP, but had an MRI and the Dr. seemed rather disappointed no hint of cancer, probably because they are a surgical practice!

[shaggy eel]

,,, how much tumeric are you adding to a cup of green tea?

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Well, I have been taking a small knob of ginger and a small knob of tumeric scrapping off the skin,. I chopping them up and add them to the water and boil for 6 or 7 min. Then I add the green tea, toward the end and let it steep for 4 or 5 min, and add some lemon and honey.

I have added turmeric straight, about a 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon. If you use Matcha instead of loose tea about the same. (I use Japanese matcha if possible.)

Well, getting late here! Good night!

[shaggy eel]

,,, superb - thanks! Rest well.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

S.E. jr. Good morning! I did omit that I strain it, but being in the tea drinking part of the Anglosphere I think you knew to do that! Have a Great day!

[shaggy eel]

,,, yep, I strain lemon, honey and ginger drinks too. Have a good one!

[mbj]

Great post! Thank you!

+1