title: Development of a new optical device and its feasibility in prostate cancer detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a new optical device (prostate optical device, POD) for assessment of prostate tissue stiffness and evaluate its sensitivity and specificity in prostate cancer detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  POD was tested in prostate phantoms and in patients with indications for prostate biopsy. Its sensitivity and specificity were compared to digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  POD was able to identify stiffness differences on each prostate phantom. 45 patients were included in the study. Sensitivity of TRUS (40%) was significantly lower to POD (85.7%) and DRE (74.3%) (p = 0.000 and p = 0.003, respectively). There was no statistical difference between POD and DRE (p = 0.221). The combination of POD and DRE showed the highest sensitivity (88.6%), positive predictive value (81.6%), and negative predictive value (42.9%) among all diagnostic tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  POD identified prostatic stiffness differences with the same sensitivity of DRE performed by an experienced urologist providing an objective indication for prostate biopsy and early prostate cancer detection.
authors.affiliation: Machine Design Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Sofia D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Panteliou
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tzortzis
authors.forename: George T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulos
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sunaric
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarris
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatzimouratidis
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hatzichristou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055096:Optical Devices; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014572:Urology / Q000379:methods*