MRI Often Underestimates Prostate Tumor Size, Study Finds

Results

A study by researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, frequently underestimates the size of prostate tumors, which can lead to undertreatment.

The study authors found that such an underestimation most often occurs when the tumor size measured by MRI is small and the PI-RADS score, which is used to classify lesions in the analysis. MRI of the prostate is weak.

For prostate tumor treatments to be successful, the MRI size measurement and PI-RADS score must be accurate because they allow doctors to accurately determine where tumors end and where normal, healthy tissue begins. that surrounds them.

Context

MRI is frequently used to diagnose and manage prostate cancer. It is also increasingly used as a way to map and guide the delivery of new, highly targeted therapies that use freezing (cryotherapy), ultrasound (HIFU) and heat (laser ablation) to destroy cancerous tissue. of the prostate while sparing healthy tissue.

Method

The researchers compared the tumor size measured by MRI to the actual tumor size after prostate removal in 441 men treated for prostate cancer.

Impact

Improving the ability to better predict ablation margins will lead to more effective treatments for men with prostate cancer and may help reduce morbidity from treatment for prostate cancer.