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Teleradiology

MRI for Prostate Cancer Screening Reduces Unnecessary Biopsies

MRI can be used during a prostate biopsy to help guide the needles into the prostate. If prostate cancer has been found, MRI can be done to help determine the extent (stage) of the cancer. MRI scans can show if the cancer has spread outside the prostate into the seminal vesicles or other nearby structures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers increasingly reliable visualization of potentially significant prostate cancers and thus has shown advantages as a means by which to better select patients for biopsy and facilitate direct targeting of lesions during biopsy. MRI also provides information for staging tumor extent and monitoring treatment response.

At present, the current screening technique for PSA determination along with transrectal ultrasonic biopsy prompts countless bogus positive results. A screening test is required that diminishes the quantity of pointless prostate biopsies and which bifurcates among more and less severe types of prostate cancer growth. Multiparametric MRI has a high specificity for prostate cancer identification and gives more accurate data about its aggressive growth. Because of it being an expensive form of treatment and limited accessibility, multiparametric MRI is not preferred as an option for primary screening test. Nonetheless, it could fill in as an subsequent screening test if the PSA has expanded above threshold values. Utilizing multiparametric MRI as a subsequent test during screening would give more precise biopsies, forestall pointless prostate biopsies and help in identifying the seriousness and characterization of the prostate cancer stages.

The detection of clinically insignificant tumors and benign findings on biopsy are lower by 64% and 74%, respectively, among men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, when biopsy was performed when MRI results were positive rather than using a standard strategy. MRI has generated interest as a method for improving prostate cancer diagnostics. It can distinguish areas of the prostate reminiscent of cancer, which permits prostate biopsies to be designated toward those areas while pointless biopsies can be kept away from in men with no noticeable lesions. In studies involving men referred for biopsy because of clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, targeted biopsy in men with positive findings on MRI resulted in less detection of clinically insignificant cancers than standard biopsy while showing similar or better ability to detect clinically significant cancers.

Yearly, approximately 1,4 million men get a prostate cancer diagnosis and 375,000 men die from the disease. Past records and studies have shown that coordinated screening can bring about prior recognition and along these lines lessen the danger of prostate cancer deaths. Till date, only one nation – Lithuania – has instituted a national prostate cancer screening program because too many problems exist. Using MRI over PSA could not only be good for patients, but it could also generate financial benefits for healthcare systems. In particular, the cost saving from fewer biopsies and less over-treatment could, in fact, balance out the additional costs associated with the modality.

Advanced Telemed Services provides teleradiology services for early detection and diagnosis of the ailments. In case if you are a hospital, diagnosis center or a radiologist, you may check our services – www.advancedtelemedservices.com