Multiparametric MRI in the diagnosis of prostate cancer - a generational change.
BACKGROUND
Whether a general practitioner (GP) should order prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for a patient is a question that has been unresolved for 25 years. The authors suggest that the image-based diagnostic pathway, rather than the biopsy-driven diagnostic pathway, will answer this question.


OBJECTIVE
This article describes, in non-technical terms, the methodology of prostate imaging with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and targeted biopsies of lesions within the prostate. The benefits and risks of the new technology are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate anatomical and functional imaging of the prostate gland, and diagnosis of significant (intermediate- and high-risk) prostate cancer, is now becoming available in Australia. However, there is still a learning curve in the implementation of this technology.
FRACS (Urol), Urologist, Wesley Hospital, Wesley Medical Centre, Brisbane, QLD.
Les C
LC
Thompson
Morgan R
MR
Pokorny
D001315:Australia; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001706:Biopsy; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen