This is a guest blog post from Mark Scholz, MD. Dr. Scholz is a prostate cancer oncologist and a cofounder of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute. This blog post represents the perspective of Dr. Scholz. We hope you enjoyed this educational article.
This was originally posted at Prostate Snatchers: The Blog.
In a recent study, researchers looked into 12-year follow-up results to the Finnish Prostate Cancer Screening Trial to evaluate the relationship between prostate cancer screening and family history. Although family history is a known risk factor for developing prostate cancer, they curiously found no benefits to selectively screening men based on family history alone.
Recent research shows that new MRI-TRUS fusion biopsy can more effectively detect high-grade prostate cancers than conventional TRUS biopsy.
This is a guest blog post from Mark Scholz, MD. Dr. Scholz is a prostate cancer oncologist and a cofounder of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute. This blog post represents the perspective of Dr. Scholz. We hope you enjoyed this educational article.
New clinical imaging guidelines for the interpretation of prostate MRI exams have been released. A joint steering committee organized by the American College of Radiology, AdMeTech Foundation and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) developed Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) Version-2.
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRI-guided prostate biopsy are emerging as useful applications in the detection of prostate cancer. Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy, the current traditional method of diagnosis prostate cancer, can result in sampling errors that lead to delayed diagnosis or misclassification of cancers.
As you are aware, Rolling Oaks Radiology is one of the most active and experienced prostate MRI centers in the country. This letter is to inform you about recent PIRADS assessment changes for the interpretation of prostate MRI exams.
PIRADS, initially developed in Europe, has been the international accepted interpretation standard for the past two years. These recent changes were announced by our joint steering committee at the annual meeting of the RSNA in November.
For several decades, women have led an increasingly concerted effort to raise awareness around breast cancer and to demand better treatment options. It is time for men to do the same.
While most prostate cancers grow slowly and may require only minimal treatment, others are aggressive and early detection of these cancers is essential to achieving optimal outcomes. Accurately diagnosing prostate cancer early can be an immense challenge. Digital rectal exam (DRE), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) biopsy — tools traditionally used to diagnose prostate cancer — have limitations that the medical community has long sought to overcome.
Much attention paid to multiparametric prostate MRI has focused on its ability to improve prostate cancer detection and diagnosis. However, prostate MRI has the potential to improve other aspects of prostate cancer care. Beyond guiding biopsy needles, prostate MRI can also aid prostate cancer staging, inform treatment planning and to monitor patients following treatment.
