Intense Incidental F-18 DOPA Uptake in Low-grade Prostate Adenocarcinoma: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.
Carlos Mas Pascasio, Blanca Ruíz de Almirón de Andrés, Estefanía López Rodríguez et al.
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Case in brief
A 60-year-old man presented for evaluation of elevated normetanephrines, during which intense incidental F-18 DOPA uptake was noted in the prostate on PET/CT. Despite multiparametric MRI showing no suspicious findings, a biopsy confirmed acinar adenocarcinoma with a Gleason score of 3+3. This case highlights the need for careful interpretation of F-18 DOPA uptake in the prostate.
What made this case unusual
The intense F-18 DOPA uptake in the prostate is atypical and not part of its usual biodistribution, raising concerns about potential diagnostic pitfalls.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be cautious when interpreting incidental F-18 DOPA uptake in the prostate, as it may not correlate with neuroendocrine tumor activity.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of considering alternative diagnoses when encountering unexpected imaging findings in prostate evaluations.