ADVANCES IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE FOR PROSTATE CANCER: FROM DIAGNOSIS TO TREATMENT

Prostate cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies among men worldwide and has undergone a remarkable transformation in its diagnostic and therapeutic landscape over the past decade. Advances in molecular imaging, targeted radionuclide therapies, and personalized treatment strategies have significantly reshaped clinical decision-making and patient management. This book has been prepared to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the expanding role of Nuclear Medicine throughout the entire continuum of prostate cancer care—from diagnosis to treatment. In contemporary clinical practice, PSMA-based imaging and theranostic approaches have become indispensable tools not only for disease detection and staging but also for treatment selection, response assessment, and prognostic stratification. Despite these developments, there remains a limited number of resources that comprehensively integrate diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine applications in prostate cancer within a single reference work. Advances in Nuclear Medicine for Prostate Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment aims to address this unmet need. The chapters cover a broad spectrum of topics, including the biological basis of prostate cancer, state-of-the-art molecular imaging techniques, PSMA PET/CT applications, radionuclide therapies, and evolving treatment paradigms across different disease stages, ranging from localized disease to metastatic hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Furthermore, the book explores combination strategies involving radioligand therapy and systemic treatments, emerging alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, and future directions in theranostics. A distinctive strength of this volume lies in its ability not only to summarize current evidence but also to interpret ongoing developments and highlight future opportunities in the field. By bringing together contributions from experts with diverse clinical and scientific backgrounds, the book offers an integrated perspective on one of the fastest-evolving areas of modern oncology and nuclear medicine. This work is intended to serve as a valuable resource for nuclear medicine physicians, urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, researchers, trainees, and all healthcare professionals interested in prostate cancer management. We hope that it will contribute to improved understanding, foster multidisciplinary collaboration, and inspire future scientific advances in this rapidly progressing field. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the associate editors and all contributing authors whose expertise and dedication made this book possible. Their valuable contributions have created a resource that reflects both the current state of knowledge and the future vision of prostate cancer theranostics. Prof. Dr. Ertan ŞAHİN Ertan ŞAHİN MD, Professor Stefano FANTİ MD, Professor Umut ELBOĞA MD, Professor