Prostate / Genitourinary

The special MRI techniques play a significant role in detecting and assessing the extent of clinically significant prostate cancer. These techniques significantly increase diagnostic accuracy when identifying and characterizing a lesion, permitting targeted biopsy collection from suspect areas (and not blindly, with the risk of not collecting material from the cancerous area). In addition, these special MRI techniques assist in estimating the extent of the disease (staging) with greater accuracy before surgery or radiotherapy. After treatment, they are used for early recurrence detection.

Prostate

A multiparametric study is the combination of special MRI techniques..

Multiparametric MRI combines special techniques with high-resolution anatomical images, significantly increasing accuracy when detecting cancer.

At our Unit, multiparametric studies are performed using a state-of-the-art latest generation Siemens Skyra 3 Tesla scanner with a 60 channel dedicated abdomen coil, so the use of an endorectal coil is not necessary.

The protocol to be used and the interpretation of the results are determined by qualified doctors, based on the international guidelines of the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) – PI-RADS Version 2 (2015).

See also
Robotic Urology (da Vinci): Oncology

TECHNIQUES/EQUIPMENT

WHEN IS A MULTIPARAMETRIC PROSTATE STUDY INDICATED?

High PSA or PSA increase and negative biopsy

A biopsy may possibly not detect prostate cancer because it was performed blindly and the material collected belongs to an area away from the cancer. In this case, an MRI may detect even the smallest cancer, since the entire gland is depicted, and a targeted biopsy of the suspect area may be performed.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://www.metropolitan-hospital.gr/en/services/innovative-services/radiology-medical-imaging/our-services/prostate-genitourinary#sigProIdb98f85f1d8

Before the biopsy, it detects even the smallest cancer with great accuracy.

Without MRI guidance, the biopsy is performed blindly, i.e. by collecting samples from areas of the prostate without knowing whether they are suspect. So a tumor may not be identified, especially if located in areas where it is hard to collect biopsy samples. An MRI identifies the suspect areas in advance and a biopsy sample is then collected (targeted biopsy).

Local staging of cancer before treatment

It assesses the extent of the disease in the prostate gland with great accuracy and identifies any possible spreading to the periprostatic space, offering information such as:

- spreading of cancer beyond the organ (broken prostate capsule)

- invasion of neighboring organs, such a urinary bladder, urethral sphincter and rectum

Knowing the true extent of the cancer within and outside the prostate gland is of vital importance when determining the right treatment.