041IC - Should I Order a PET Scan? Integrating Molecular Imaging into Urologic Oncology Clinical Practice: Current Approaches and Future Opportunities

Course Description: This course is intended for practicing urologists, residents, fellows, 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, 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 PET radiopharmaceutical agents in combination with CT or MRI for prostate (FDG, Choline, Acetate, NaF, FACBC, PSMA), kidney (Girentuximab, Sestamibi), and bladder (FDG, Choline, Acetate, fibroblast activation protein) 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 and integration into clinical practice. 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 Objective 1: Analyze the best available evidence on the current diagnostic imaging options for prostate, kidney, bladder, and testis cancer detection, staging, and follow-up

Learning Objective 2: Describe the benefits of combined functional and anatomic information gained through accurate matching of anatomic (CT/MRI) and functional (PET) images

Learning Objective 3: Debate the strengths and limitations of emerging molecular imaging techniques compared to existing diagnostic tests

Learning Objective 4: Optimally stage urologic oncology patients by understanding the performance characteristics of standard and emerging molecular imaging modalities

Learning Objective 5: Definethe emerging role of PET imaging and novel radiotracers to assess chemotherapy and immunotherapy response

Learning Objective 6: Formulate a strategic plan for appropriate integration of molecular imaging into clinical practice