Ultrasound/MRI fusion biopsy detects more sonographically occult prostate cancers

Research conducted at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University has found that multiparametric MRI and subsequent fusion of MR images with ultrasound enables a targeted biopsy of high-suspicion foci with increased diagnostic accuracy of prostate cancer over established methods.

For patients on active surveillance for low-risk cancer, multiparametric MRI can better characterize the prostate gland and find occult foci of higher grade disease.

"The need to differentiate a clinically significant cancer from indolent cancers is a major challenge in current practice," said Sajeev Ezhapilli, MD. "Detection of occult lesions has a direct effect on management and may affect oncologic outcome."

The study was featured in an electronic exhibit at the ARRS 2015 Annual Meeting in Toronto.