Researchers studied a new imaging test called Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT to see how well it detects prostate cancer and its spread. The trial included 173 men with high-risk prostate cancer who were scheduled for surgery, from hospitals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They underwent the imaging scan before their planned treatment to check for cancer in the prostate, nearby lymph nodes, and other areas.
The results showed the test was very good at finding the main prostate tumor, with a sensitivity of 97.1%. For detecting cancer in lymph nodes, it had a sensitivity of 40% overall, but this improved to 56.4% or 69% when excluding very small lesions. The test also led to changes in treatment: surgery was canceled for 13.2% of patients, and radiation plans were adjusted for 20.9% of those evaluated. Safety was good, with only mild unrelated side effects in 8.1% of patients and no serious issues.
It's important to be cautious because this was a phase 1/2 trial, which is an early study without a comparison group to other tests. The findings suggest Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT might help doctors make better treatment decisions by providing clearer images, but it doesn't prove it improves survival or long-term outcomes. Patients should talk to their doctors about imaging options as part of their care plan.