Brian T. Helfand, MD, PhD, presented “Staging Updates: Whole Body MRI and PET Imaging for Prostate Cancer” during the 35th International Prostate Cancer Update conference on February 9, 2025, in Vail, Colorado.
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How to cite: Helfand, Brian T. “Staging Updates: Whole Body MRI and PET Imaging for Prostate Cancer.” February 9, 2025. Accessed Jul 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/staging-updates-whole-body-mri-and-pet-imaging-for-prostate-cancer/
Staging Updates: Whole Body MRI and PET Imaging for Prostate Cancer – Summary
Brian T. Helfand, MD, PhD, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois, discusses recent advancements in imaging techniques for prostate cancer detection and management. In this 14-minute presentation, Dr. Helfand provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of prostate cancer imaging, improving detection and treatment planning for patients at various stages of the disease.
Dr. Helfand highlights the evolution from traditional CT and bone scans to innovative approaches like whole-body MRI and PSMA PET CT imaging. Whole-body MRI is a promising alternative, potentially replacing CT and bone scans. PSMA PET CT has revolutionized staging and recurrence detection by accurately identifying metastatic disease. New copper-based agents show improved signal strength and lesion visibility during delayed imaging.
Dr. Helfand emphasizes that despite the improved precision, no imaging modality can yet match microscopic evaluation, but these innovations are closing the gap. The presentation underscores the importance of understanding tumor biology to predict scan outcomes, as different tracers may identify distinct tumor characteristics. Ongoing research continues to refine these technologies, with future strategies potentially combining multiple tracers to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
About the 35th International Prostate Cancer Update:
The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), is a multi-day, CME-accredited conference focused on new developments in prostate cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. IPCU 35 will feature lectures, interactive discussions, panel roundtables, debates, and case reports. This conference is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
The goal of this educational program is to equip healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer with the up-to-date clinical knowledge and tools they need to best treat their patients. The program will discuss the treatment of prostate cancer from diagnosis to treating advanced and metastatic disease. The conference aims to give physicians exposure to a comprehensive review of treating prostate cancer patients and to give them a chance to discuss the issues with peers and experts. You can learn more about the conference here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian T. Helfand, MD, PhD, is Chief of the Division of Urology and the Ronald L. Chez Family and Richard Melman Family Endowed Chair at NorthShore University HealthSystem. He is Director of the Personalized Prostate Program and Director of Clinical Research in the Program for Personalized Cancer Care (PPCC). He is also an active surgical scientist who is involved in the care of patients with prostate cancer. His clinical care and research is focused on the implementation of genetic tests and biomarker studies for prostate cancer.
Dr. Helfand completed his undergraduate degree at Emory University. He received his medical training and PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology and Genetics from Northwestern University. He is a fellowship-trained urologic oncologist who has focused his research career on prostate cancer. He was recruited in 2011 from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, where he was faculty in the Department of Urology. Dr. Helfand is an internationally-known urologist and genomic translational researcher. He has received multiple grants from the NIH and has published over 140 peer-reviewed manuscripts in journals such as Nature Genetics, The Journal of Cell Biology, and Science Translational Medicine.
Dr. Helfand is involved in national and international research collaborations as an active member of the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG), the Prostate Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE), the IMPACT) study, and the Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN). His current research goals are focused on germline genetic variations and mutations. He is determined to use this information to assist in personal and informed clinical decision making about prostate cancer screening and treatment for patients and their family members.
