The aim of the TOPEM experiment is the project and cosntruction of an endorectal TOF PET compatible with MRI for diagnosis and follow up of the prostate cancer.


Prostate Carcinoma, the second most common cause of cancer death among men in western countries, is a heterogeneous disease, asymptomatic to rapidly systemic malignancy. Tools for diagnosis and follow up are not appropriate. The gold standard is PSA->DRE->Biopsy. MRI laks sensitivity and specificity. Anatomical, functional molecular imaging techniques are needed. New techniques are critical to the success. Standard techniques cannot detect early disease. TOPEM project will develop an endorectal PET-TOF MRI probe with new imaging agents PET and optical. TOF capability allows an increase in the SNR/NECR. The internal probe will be used in coincidencee with external dedicated detectors and/or a standard PET. The performance of the probe will dominate, with improvement in spatial resolution and efficiency. The electroncis has to measure time with a precision of 300 ps or less. Silicon PhotoMultiplers (SIPM) will be used both for their timing properties and MRI compatibility. The proposed multimodal detector will show unprecedented ability in diagnosis of the prostate Ca providing also tools for guiding biopsy, follow up of the therapy and helping surgery.