MR Spectroscopy Saves Prostate Cancer Patients Lives

In fact, Peter Scardino, M.D., chairman of the departments of urology and surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer center (New York, NY, USA) has called MRI-S with the 3-Tesla magnet, "the next greatest diagnostic tool for prostate cancer detection.” Clinicians at the Diagnostic Center for Disease (Sarasota, FL, USA) led by urologist Ronald E. Wheeler, M.D. are using this new imaging technology to assist in finding prostate cancer where conventional biopsies continue to miss the lesion. MRI-S evaluates the integrity of prostate tissue through spatial resolution as well as the biochemical composition of cells through a spectral analysis. Combined, this technology establishes a "finger-print” of disease when the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is elevated. Once a lesion is identified, a series of targeted biopsies can be performed, as the disease in question is localized.

Using a parametric approach, the center is utilizing all sequences of the 3-Tesla MRI-S scan including dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) with conventional prostate cancer diagnostic detection markers such as color flow Doppler ultrasound, PSA, and digital rectal exam (DRE) to establish a clear picture of the disease process present.

Interestingly, this technology at times allows physicians to change their treatment course when cancer has escaped the prostate capsule. Furthermore, preliminary data from the Diagnostic Center for Disease shows that the use of MRI-S combined with DRE, PSA, and ultrasound data provides a 75% yield in diagnosing prostate cancer compared to the traditional 20-30% yield while using blind or random biopsies.


Related Links:
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Diagnostic Center for Disease