Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prostate Cancer
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-04-19
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background:
- Prostate cancers are difficult to see on most imaging studies such as X-rays, computed
tomography (CT) scans, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and
conventional positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
- An experimental radioactive tracer called 11C-acetate accumulates in prostate tumor
cells and may help find prostate cancers more accurately than other imaging methods.
Objectives:
- To determine the accuracy of prostate tumor imaging using the tracer 11C-acetate.
Eligibility:
- Patients 18 years of age and older who are undergoing surgery for localized prostate
cancer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center.
Design:
- Patients have a positron emission tomography (PET scan). For this test, an intravenous
(IV) line is placed in the patient's arm and the patient lies on a table inside the
donut shaped scanner. (11)C-acetate is injected into the vein through the catheter and
images of the lower pelvis and abdomen are obtained over 30 minutes.
- Patients have an endorectal coil MRI scan. For this test, a tube is placed in the
rectum, just behind the prostate, to increase the amount of signal received by the
magnetic resonance (MR) unit. Other coils may be wrapped around the pelvis to further
improve the quality of the scan. The patient lies on the scanning table for about 75 to
90 minutes while images are obtained. During the scan, a contrast agent called
gadolinium is injected through an intravenous (IV) line to brighten the images.