Publications by authors named "Laura Evangelista"

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of radiolabeled-PSMA PET/CT in a cohort of intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients for initial staging.

Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter analysis of patients diagnosed with intermediate-risk PCa who were staged using radiolabeled PSMA PET/CT to evaluate the extent of the disease before initiating appropriate treatment. The study included patients from the Nuclear Medicine Units of the Humanitas group between 2021 and 2024.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Mesothelioma is a malignant tumor associated primarily with asbestos exposure, characterized by an aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of therapeutic response are crucial for effective patient management. Along with a computed tomography (CT) scan, fluorodeoxyglucose labeled with fluorine-18 ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is commonly used in mesothelioma evaluation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Here, we have compiled all key statements derived from these guidelines and delved into details on which scenarios the diagnostic whole-body iodine scan (DxWBIS) might be useful.

Methods: We identified all relevant guidelines by searching the MEDLINE/PubMed databases, Google Scholar, and Ovid from 2006 onwards using keywords related to DxWBIS, RxWBIS, iodine scintigraphy, and iodine scan. We excluded case reports/series, original articles, and clinical trials while including guidelines or consensus opinions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the use of FAPI PET/CT imaging in various urological cancers, particularly prostate, urothelial, and renal cell carcinomas.
  • Preliminary findings suggest FAPI PET can detect primary prostate cancer even with low prostate-specific membrane antigen expression, although it is less effective than prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT for spotting recurrence.
  • FAPI PET/CT shows improved detection rates for small lymph node metastases in urothelial carcinoma compared to traditional imaging, highlighting its potential, especially for bladder cancer, but more research is needed to fully understand its clinical applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. It predominantly affects younger women and is associated with a poor prognosis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current role of positron emission tomography (PET) in the management of TNBC patients and to identify future research directions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Surgical resection with a minimally invasive approach is the standard for diagnosing and treating solitary pulmonary nodules. A computed tomography (CT)-guided technetium-macroaggregated albumin (Tc-MAA) injection-based procedure has been employed for small and non-palpable lung nodule radio-guided preoperative localization (ROLL). This procedure is usually followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diagnostic imaging is essential in the diagnostic process of rheumatic diseases. Given the heterogeneity of this group of diseases and the tremendous impact of novel therapeutic options, guidelines and recommendations regarding the optimal choice of the most appropriate technique/s are continuously revised and radiologists should always be up-to-date. Last, because of the continuous technological innovations, we will assist to the progressive application of advanced techniques and tools in rheumatology.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a diverse group of tumors with varying clinical behaviors. Their incidence has risen due to increased awareness, improved diagnostics, and aging populations. The 2019 World Health Organization classification emphasizes integrating radiology and histopathology to characterize NENs and create personalized treatment plans.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in its advanced stages. Despite progress in early detection and treatment, PCa is the second most common cancer diagnosis among men. This review aims to provide an overview of current therapeutic approaches and innovations in PCa management, focusing on the latest advancements and ongoing challenges.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The aim of this article was to offer a comprehensive non-systematic review of the literature about the use of Nuclear Medicine imaging exams for the evaluation of prostate cancer (PCa) in the recurrent setting, with a particular regard to positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging.

Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive nonsystematic literature review was performed in March 2024. Literature search was updated until March 2024.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of [F]F-choline PET/CT with conventional imaging for staging and managing intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer (PCa). The primary objective was to assess the ability of PET/CT with [F]F-choline to identify lymph node and systemic involvement during initial staging. Secondary objectives included evaluating the impact of [F]F-choline PET/CT on unnecessary local treatments and assessing the safety of [F]F-choline agents.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Auger electrons (AEs) represent an intriguing topic in the field of radionuclide therapy. They are emitted by several radionuclides commonly used in nuclear medicine (indium-111, iodine-123, iodine-125), allowing for highly localized energy deposition and thus exerting a radiotoxic effect on specific cellular and sub-cellular targets. However, due to their short range in matter, AEs have had limited use in therapeutic applications so far.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A 66-year-old man has been treated in a psychiatric department for 4-5 years for a depressive syndrome, which is associated with poor motor initiative, confusional state, and dysosmia. Dynamic 18 F-FET PET/CT showed only faint uptake of radiotracer just above the background on the left frontal calcific lesion. The time-activity curve of the neoplasms showed a descending pattern.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(1) Background: Thyroid cancer (TC) is often treated with surgery followed by iodine-131. Up to 50% of the instances of TC lose their avidity to I, becoming more aggressive. In this scenario, [F]FDG PET/CT imaging is used for evaluating the widespread nature of the disease, despite its low sensitivity and a false negative rate of 8-21.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This work discusses the role of Nuclear Medicine for women's health, the role of women in the development of this emerging field and the various issues which arise from both. It emphasizes the importance of young women and their competing needs due to factors like pregnancy and work-related challenges. The objectives of this overview include improving imaging techniques, preserving fertility during cancer treatment, diagnosing pelvic and uterine conditions, developing radiopharmaceuticals for women's health, protecting female employees in Nuclear Medicine, and considering the role of artificial intelligence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The advancement of hybrid PET/CT or PET/MRI imaging for non-prostate genitourinary cancers has not experienced the rapid progress of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, these neoplasms are aggressive and reliable imaging plays a pivotal role in enhancing patients' quality of life and prognosis.

Areas Covered: the main evidence regarding [F]FDG and non-[F]FDG PET/CT or PET/MRI in non-prostate uro-oncological malignancies are summarized and discussed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The estrogen receptor (ER), a steroid hormone receptor important in female physiology, is a significant contributor to breast carcinogenesis and progression and, as such, is an important therapeutic target. Approximately 70% of breast cancers will express ER at presentation, and the determination of ER expression by tissue assay, usually by immunohistochemistry, is part of the standard of care for newly diagnosed breast cancer. ER expression is important in guiding the approach to treatment, especially with the increase in relevant systemic therapies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), which exploit the processes of so-called 'synthetic lethality,' have been successfully implemented in oncological practice. However, not all patients respond to PARPi, and there is an unmet need for noninvasive biomarkers suitable for patient selection and monitoring during PARPi therapy.

Areas Covered: The first clinical applications of molecular imaging with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [18F]-FluorThanatrace ([18F]-FTT) and [18F]-PARPi, highly effective PARP-ligands, in patients with several malignancies (head and neck, ovarian, prostate, and breast cancer) are covered, with a particular focus on its potential for pre-treatment selection and follow-up.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF