Our Summary

This research paper investigates the effectiveness of a specific type of prostate cancer detection method: multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with informed targeted biopsies.

The researchers compared this method with the standard systematic biopsy technique. They found that the multiparametric MRI method was more successful in diagnosing prostate cancer, including serious and high grade kinds of the disease.

Interestingly, they discovered that removing systematic biopsies from the MRI method resulted in fewer diagnoses of less serious prostate cancer, but it didn’t affect the detection of serious or high grade cancer.

So, in simpler terms, this study shows that using MRI scans to guide where doctors should take tissue samples (biopsies) from the prostate can help them find more cases of cancer, especially the serious ones. It also suggests that doing so might avoid unnecessary diagnoses of less harmful types of the disease.

FAQs

  1. How does the multiparametric MRI method compare to the standard systematic biopsy technique in detecting prostate cancer?
  2. Does the removal of systematic biopsies from the MRI method impact the detection of serious or high grade prostate cancer?
  3. Can using MRI scans to guide prostate biopsies help to avoid unnecessary diagnoses of less harmful types of prostate cancer?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip that a doctor might give a patient about prostate biopsy is to ask about the possibility of having a multiparametric MRI before undergoing the biopsy. This can help guide the doctor to take tissue samples from specific areas of the prostate that are more likely to show signs of cancer, potentially increasing the accuracy of the diagnosis. It may also help avoid unnecessary biopsies for less serious types of prostate cancer.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended prostate biopsy are those who have abnormal results from a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, digital rectal exam, or imaging tests such as MRI or ultrasound. Additionally, patients with a family history of prostate cancer, African American men, and those with certain genetic mutations associated with prostate cancer may also be recommended for a biopsy. Other factors such as age, symptoms, and overall health status will also be taken into consideration when determining if a prostate biopsy is necessary.

Timeline

Before a prostate biopsy:

  1. Patient consults with a urologist about symptoms and risk factors for prostate cancer.
  2. Urologist may recommend a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to check for elevated levels.
  3. If PSA levels are high or if there are other concerning factors, the urologist may recommend a multiparametric MRI scan of the prostate to look for abnormalities.
  4. Based on the MRI results, the urologist may decide to proceed with a targeted biopsy to sample suspicious areas of the prostate.

After a prostate biopsy:

  1. Patient undergoes the biopsy procedure, which may involve local anesthesia and the insertion of a needle to collect tissue samples.
  2. Patient may experience some discomfort, bleeding, or blood in the urine or semen after the procedure.
  3. Tissue samples are sent to a lab for analysis to determine if cancer cells are present and to assess the grade and aggressiveness of the cancer.
  4. Patient may need to wait a few days to receive the biopsy results and discuss treatment options with their urologist based on the findings.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a prostate biopsy?
  2. How accurate is the multiparametric MRI method compared to the standard systematic biopsy technique?
  3. Will the MRI-guided biopsy be able to detect all types of prostate cancer, including serious and high-grade cancers?
  4. How does the MRI-guided biopsy process work, and what can I expect during the procedure?
  5. Will I need to undergo any additional tests or procedures after the biopsy results are received?
  6. How soon will I receive the results of the biopsy, and what will be the next steps depending on the findings?
  7. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take before or after the biopsy procedure?
  8. What are the potential long-term implications of a prostate cancer diagnosis, and what treatment options are available?
  9. Are there any alternative methods of prostate cancer detection that I should consider?
  10. How often should I undergo prostate cancer screenings or follow-up appointments after the biopsy?

Reference

Authors: Goldberg H, Ahmad AE, Chandrasekar T, Klotz L, Emberton M, Haider MA, Taneja SS, Arora K, Fleshner N, Finelli A, Perlis N, Tyson MD, Klaassen Z, Wallis CJD. Journal: J Urol. 2020 Jun;203(6):1085-1093. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000000595. Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31609177