title: Prostate biopsy in selecting candidates for hemiablative focal therapy.
abstract: Focal therapy (FT) for the management of clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) is growing from a concept to reality because of increased interest of both patients and physicians. Selection protocols, however, are yet to be established. We discuss the role of prostate biopsy in candidate selection for FT and highlight the different strategies and technical aspects of the use of prostate biopsy in this setting. In our opinion, prostate biopsy plays a major role in the selection process and tailoring appropriate treatment strategy to the patient. FT necessitates dedicated biopsy schemes that would reliably predict the extent, nature, and location of PCa in selected patients. Currently, there is insufficient scientific evidence to propose a specific biopsy scheme that could fit every candidate, providing accurate characterization of the disease in the individual patient. Further research is necessary to establish solid selection protocols that would reliably identify appropriate candidates for FT of PCa.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Matvey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsivian
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hruza
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mouraviev
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rassweiler
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Polascik
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*