Utility of whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the management of treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION

Treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer, a rare and aggressive malignancy that emerges during androgen deprivation therapy characterized by low serum prostate-specific antigen concentrations, is challenging to monitor because it is associated with predominantly visceral and lytic bone metastases.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a 69-year-old man with treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer in whom the treatment response could be monitored using whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in addition to serum concentrations of neuroendocrine markers. The patient responded well to platinum-based chemotherapy and achieved a complete response, as evidenced by these diagnostic modalities.

CONCLUSION

Our case suggests that whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is useful in disease management for treatment-related neuroendocrine prostate cancer as well as the potential evaluation of mixed responses and treatment resistance.