Imaging of Neuroendocrine Prostatic Carcinoma

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive type of prostate cancer with a very high potential for distant metastatic spread in the body. It is associated with poor survival in comparison to the usual adenocarcinoma type of prostate cancer. Although it can arise de novo, NEPC much more commonly occurs as a mechanism of resistance during treatment for usual type prostatic adenocarcinoma, the latter is also called as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The incidence of NEPC increases after hormonal therapy and they represent a challenge, both in the radiological and pathological diagnosis, as well as in the clinical management. This article provides a comprehensive imaging review of prostatic neuroendocrine tumors. ABSTRACT: Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive subtype of prostate cancer that typically has a high metastatic potential and poor prognosis in comparison to the adenocarcinoma subtype. Although it can arise de novo, NEPC much more commonly occurs as a mechanism of treatment resistance during therapy for conventional prostatic adenocarcinoma, the latter is also termed as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The incidence of NEPC increases after hormonal therapy and they represent a challenge, both in the radiological and pathological diagnosis, as well as in the clinical management. This article provides a comprehensive imaging review of prostatic neuroendocrine tumors.