Lancet study: Advanced MRI doubles detection of aggressive tumours

A study published in The Lancet on 19^th January 2017 entitled ‘Diagnostic accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and TRUS biopsy in prostate cancer (PROMIS): a paired validating confirmatory study’ shows that using advanced MRI almost doubles the number of aggressive tumours detected.  In the study, using MP-MRI scans to guide biopsies detected 93% of clinically significant cancers, compared to just 48% detected with a TRUS-biopsy.

The link to the study, as well as an audio podcast with the lead author, is available at: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)32401-1/fulltext?rss=yes#sec1

By increasing the accuracy with which the prostate can be imaged, and cancerous lesions mapped, treatment can subsequently become significantly more targeted. Royal Philips has long been an advocate for the use of MRI as a screening tool for pre-prostate biopsy and the use of MRI data in the biopsy procedure. The latest advances, such as Philips UroNav, take this approach one step further.

WHAT:

• Philips is available to provide insight into the use of advanced MRI technology to improve cancer detection.
• The Philips UroNav is an integrated image-guided stereotactic system that uses both magnetic resonance and ultrasound images, in conjunction with an electromagnetic tracking device, to facilitate targeted prostate biopsy. This technique fuses pre-biopsy MR images of the prostate with real-time ultrasound-guided biopsy images, for delineation of the prostate and suspicious lesions, as well as clear visualisation of the biopsy needle.
• There is a growing demand for high quality management of prostate cancer in the UK as it accounts for 26% of all new incidents of cancer in males.
• Philips UKI in Oncology is expanding its ‘Informed Therapy Guidance’ strategy, which includes MRI for image guidance (diagnostic MRI) as well as therapy planning (MR-RT) and treatment (MR HIFU).