013IC - Should I Order a PET Scan? Integrating Molecular Imaging Into Urologic Oncology Clinical Practice: Current Approaches and Future Opportunities

Friday, April 28, 2023

1:30 PM – 3:30 PM CST

Location: S102C

Instructional Course Director(s)

Marc Bjurlin, DO (he/him/his)

University of North Carolina

Instructional Course Faculty(s)

SB

Spencer Behr, MD

Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Abdominal Imaging
Michael Gorin, MD

Staff Urologist, Urology Associates & UPMC Western Maryland
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Tracy Rose, MD,MPH (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
University of North Carolina

Course Description: This course is intended for urologists and advanced practice providers interested in optimizing detection, staging and follow-up of genitourinary malignancies through the use of molecular imaging opportunities. The attendee will explore current diagnostic imaging modalities and their performance characteristics, along with imaging guidelines for cancer staging. This will lead into an introduction of novel molecular imaging tests and their clinical applications. Emphasis will be placed on novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiopharmaceutical agents in combination with CT or MRI for prostate (fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG], choline, acetate, sodium fluoride, fluciclovine, prostate-specific membrane antigen), kidney (FDG, sestamibi, carbonic anhydrase), bladder (FDG, choline, acetate) as well as testis cancer (FDG). Differences among the imaging modalities and how they compare to existing diagnostic tests will be highlighted. Discussions will focus on practical case-based examples, integration into clinical practice, review of guidelines and appropriate use criteria. At the end of this course, participants should be able to independently determine the strengths and limitations of emerging molecular imaging modalities in urologic oncology. This multidisciplinary course led by a combination of urologists, nuclear medicine experts, and medical oncologists, will be conducted through a hybrid approach of lectures and attendee participation.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze the best available evidence on the current diagnostic imaging options for prostate, kidney, bladder and testis cancer detection, staging and follow-up.
Discuss the benefits of combined functional and anatomical information gained through accurate matching of anatomical (CT/MRI) and functional (PET) images.
Debate the strengths and limitations of emerging molecular imaging techniques compared to existing diagnostic tests.
Utilize performance characteristics of standard and emerging molecular imaging modalities to stage urologic oncology patients.
Describe the emerging role of PET imaging and novel radiotracers to assess chemotherapy and immunotherapy response.
Formulate a strategic plan for appropriate integration of molecular imaging into clinical practice concordant with guidelines and appropriate use criteria.