Abbreviated MRI could become standard of care for prostate cancer diagnosis
Abbreviated MRI exams yield similar results to multiparametric scans when it comes to identifying clinically significant prostate cancer.
Biparametric prostate MRIs take significantly less time than multiparametric exams, as they do not include a contrast-enhanced sequence. This also makes the abbreviated exams more cost-friendly. Data published this week in JAMA suggest these scans achieve similar detection results, prompting experts involved in the study to suggest that opting for biparametric MRI in men suspected of having cancer could address the growing demand for prostate imaging.
“Currently around 4 million MRI scans are needed each year globally to diagnose prostate cancer. This demand is set to rise rapidly with a predicted surge in prostate cancer cases over the next 20 years,” chief investigator Veeru Kasivisvanathan, PhD, from University College London Surgery & Interventional Science, noted in a news release on the study. “Time, cost and staff availability are all limiting factors in how many scans can be offered, which makes the results of the PRIME trial particularly important. If we can do the scan in up to half the time, with fewer staff and at lower cost, that will make a huge difference in allowing every man who needs a scan to be able to get one in a timely fashion.”
The study compared data from more than 500 men who underwent multiparametric prostate MRIs that included dynamic contrast–enhanced (DCE) sequences. Radiologists first reported on the biparametric portion of the scans (T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted sequences) before interpreting the contrast-enhanced sequences. Patients were referred for biopsy if either of the reports indicated clinical suspicion.
The biparametric scans were determined to be noninferior to the multiparametric exams, detecting 143 clinically significant cancers compared to 145 for the full-length sequences; biparametric MRI also detected clinically insignificant cancer in 45 of 490 men, compared with 47 of 490 men for multiparametric MRI. What’s more, the shortened exams took around half the amount of time as the full sequence scans, saving patients and providers a significant amount of time.
“Being able to make accurate diagnoses without the contrast stage will reduce scan time meaning we can offer scans to more men using the same number of scanners and operators,” said Associate Professor Francesco Giganti, MD, a lead radiologist on the trial, also from UCL Surgery & Interventional Science. “However, it is vital that the scans are of optimal diagnostic quality and that they are interpreted by a radiologist with dedicated expertise in prostate MRI.”
As long as image quality is maintained, the team believes abbreviated protocols have the potential to become the new standard of care for prostate cancer diagnosis.
Read more about the findings here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.