PET/MRI in Urogenital System Tumors: How Helpful is it?
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Invited Review

PET/MRI in Urogenital System Tumors: How Helpful is it?

Turk Radiol Semin 2024;12(2):362-387 DOI: 10.4274/trs.2024.24148
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Abstract

Combining molecular and anatomical imaging, positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) can be used for diagnosis, staging, restaging and evaluation of treatment response in urologic oncology. PET/MRI is superior to PET/computed tomography (CT) in the characterization of incidentally detected adrenal and renal lesions. However, the role of PET/MRI in the management of adrenocortical cancer, pheochromocytoma, renal cell carcinoma and urothelial cancers has not yet been definitively established. Although its routine use in renal and bladder cancer staging is controversial, PET/MRI is an effective method for detecting metastases of these cancers and evaluating the local spread of bladder cancer. Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/MRI is a hybrid imaging modality that allows detailed and reliable evaluation of prostate cancer. It can also be used to detect prostate cancer in patients with high prostate-specific antigen levels. The integration of PET and MRI technologies allows for more precise and reliable detection of tumor localization. This can make prostate biopsies safer and more diagnostic. PSMA PET/MRI is superior to PSMA PET/CT for local staging of prostate cancer and detection of recurrence after treatment. PET/MRI has a lower radiation dose compared to conventional PET/CT scans, making it a safer option for follow-up imaging in oncologic patients.

Keywords: FDG, PSMA, PET/MRI, adrenal gland, kidney, bladder, prostate

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