Men with elevated and/or rising PSA levels concerned about a prostate cancer diagnosis or men in active surveillance of prostate cancer will get peace of mind with new 3T MRI technology being used at Community Hospital. Radiologists, urologists and oncologists are working together to identify, target and biopsy tumors more precisely than with conventional methods.
This new generation of MRI and software called DynaCAD for Prostate (contrast enhancement and special processing) are being used together to generate amazingly clear images of the prostate. In these images, even tiny areas of cancer can be revealed enabling physicians to determine exactly where a tumor is located in the prostate gland.
“With conventional prostate biopsies, we often have difficulty visualizing distinct lesions using ultrasound alone,” said Bruce Yalowitz, MD, urologist on staff at Community Hospital. “By combining MRI and ultrasound technologies, we are able to see the suspicious lesions to target for a biopsy.”
The enhanced visual images with the 3T MRI help physicians distinguish benign from malignant (cancer) tumors. Prostate cancer cells stand out in situations where they might normally be undetectable. Greater than 97% accuracy can now be achieved in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer or excluding significant cancer.
“With the advanced images of the 3T MRI combined with the guidance of ultrasound, we can get a much more accurate picture of where the tumor is located and how aggressive it is,” said Jonathan Lee, radiologist on staff at Community Hospital.
A 3T MRI is the most powerful imaging magnet available. It provides twice the magnetic strength than the next lower strength magnet (1.5T), and thus a clearer image of the prostate. This added strength gives the 3T MRI the advantage when it comes to improved anatomical detail with contrast enhancement and shorter scan times. The enhanced visual images help radiologists to distinguish benign from malignant lesions.
The 3T MRI is also more comfortable for patients than the 1.5T. “With the 3T MRI, physicians do not need to use an endorectal coil to perform the prostate exam,” said Justin Spackey, MD, radiologist on staff at Community Hospital. “An endorectal coil is essentially a probe placed into a man’s rectum during the MRI scan and the coil can be quite uncomfortable.”
Targeted MR/ultrasound biopsy is poised to become the new standard in prostate care, and Community Hospital physicians are pleased to be one of the first in the area to offer this powerful solution to patients.
“We are confident that this combined technology will bring new hope to patients and provide our healthcare team with the latest advancements to identify and target suspicious prostate tumors,” says Donald P. Fesko, CEO Community Hospital.
The fusion of 3T MRI and ultrasound images gives urologists the ability to offer their patients better answers as to whether or not they have prostate cancer rather than remaining uncertain after a previous negative prostate biopsy. The combined technology is also being used as part of ongoing surveillance to help differentiate which cancers can be safely observed.
For more information on new technology at Community Hospital, visit our web site at www.comhs.org. For more information about physicians performing MR/Ultrasound fusion for prostate biopsies, call our free physician referral at 219-836-3477 or 866-836-3477.