MR/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Biopsy Better Able to Detect Aggressive Prostate Cancer, New Study Says

NEW YORK, May 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- World-renowned prostate surgeon and New York Urologist, Dr. David Samadi, evaluates new findings on the benefit of MR/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Biopsy for detecting aggressive prostate cancer.

"Our Prostate Cancer Center at Lenox Hill Hospital is the only center using the revolutionary UroNav MR/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy System in New York City. We've seen tremendous improvement in detecting and differentiating high and low risk prostate cancers. The use of an MRI makes for a much more accurate diagnosis, especially around the staging of the cancer," said Dr. Samadi.

The study published in JAMA conducted by the National Cancer Institute, studied 1003 men with an elevated PSA or abnormal digital rectal examination results, who underwent both targeted and standard biopsy. Researchers found that 30% of more high-risk prostate cancers versus standard biopsy.

"This study supports a major shift in how we effectively diagnose prostate cancer. In the past, using random biopsy was just that, random. Therefore, it increased the chances of either not finding the cancer or not fully understanding how aggressive it is. This allows both urologists and pathologists to be smarter much earlier in the process, which leads to a more successful treatment path," noted Dr. Samadi.

Dr. Samadi's Prostate Cancer Center at Lenox Hill Hospital is using the Uronav MR/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy System — a high tech MRI system that fuses pre-biopsy MR images of the prostate with ultrasound-guided biopsy images in real time.

"The main advantage is we can see the entire gland. In a targeted biopsy, MRIs of the suspected cancer fused with real-time ultrasound images create a map of the prostate that enables both urologists and pathologists to pinpoint and test suspicious areas of the prostate region," noted Dr. Samadi. "This close collaboration coupled with the targeted MR/Ultrasound biopsy creates a stronger foundation and starting point for the diagnosis process."

Uronav combines electromagnetic tracking and navigation with an onboard computer and a real-time imaging interface in one mobile workstation. As seen in the image above, MR/Ultrasound fusion aligns and registers prior diagnostic MR images with real-time ultrasound images. The red outline displays the segmented prostate anatomy from the MR exam and blue/red "targets" indicate the location of the MR suspicious lesions.

Dr. Samadi expresses in the past, advanced imaging wasn't always used to diagnose prostate cancer. "However, I believe targeted MR/Ultrasound fusion biopsy is poised to become the new standard in prostate care."

Dr. Samadi wants to ensure men understand that prostate cancer is highly curable, with a 94 percent, 15-year relative survival rate if detected in the early stages.

"With an MRI fusion-guided biopsy, we can continue to improve and ensure extreme accuracy during the prostate cancer diagnosis process. This directly affects how we proceed to treat the disease. In my practice, we always focus on individualized care for each patient," he said.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150528/219279

SOURCE Dr. David Samadi

Related Links

http://www.roboticoncology.com