THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PET/CT TECHNIQUE IN THE PROGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER

Abstract

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC), with the exception of non-melanoma skin neoplasms, corresponds to the most recurrent in men in Brazil. Objective: to demonstrate the effectiveness of the PET/CT technique as a complementary exam in the screening of prostate cancer. To present the benefit of imaging exams for a better choice of treatment techniques. Methods: a literature review based on works published until the year 2022. For this purpose, searches were carried out in the Google Scholar and Scielo databases using descriptors such as: Cancer, Prostate cancer, PET/CT technique, PSA density, Nuclear medicine. Results: 13 articles, theses, experience reports and course completion papers were selected to support rhetorical references regarding the theme. Reading the articles allowed us to understand that patients diagnosed with PC in an early stage, submitted to curative treatments, do not present symptoms related to the malignant tumor. Thus, the signs of neoplasia will appear when the region is highly affected or developing the metastatic stage of the disease. In some cases, prostate cancer is identified through digital rectal examination, regardless of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) levels. Considerations: The use of the PET/CT technique as a complementary screening test proved to be essential and effective, since it uses nuclear medicine (PET) and radiology (CT) tools, delivering anatomical and physiological precision in a single exam. Dispensing with the use of more invasive, time-consuming and costly techniques.