Prostate MRI (magnetic resonance imaging – MRI) detects prostate cancer with over 90% certainty – or excludes relevant cancer foci. Many experts are now of the opinion that an MRI of the prostate should be carried out first if a prostate carcinoma is suspected.
Palpation with the urologist’s finger (DRU – digital rectal examination) usually fails because the urologist cannot reach the entire prostate with his finger. Also, only carcinomas that are located near the rectum – or are very advanced – are detected. Ultrasound (US), on the other hand, finds only about 50% of all prostate cancers – the other 50% do not show up on ultrasound. On the other hand, a large number of benign nodules are found on ultrasound, which then have to unnecessarily be investigated further, often by biopsy.
Small prostate cancer focus (arrow) in the right outer zone of the prostate. If detected early, the cancer can be treated easily and without side effects with focal therapy, e.g. using irreversible electroporation (IRE – NanoKnife). This small focus would not have been noticed during a palpation examination, as it is embedded in normal prostate tissue (light color in the image).
Our recommendation
An MRI of the prostate provides precise images and helps in the early detection of prostate cancer and other abnormalities.
If no suspicious lesions are found in the MRI, a biopsy, the invasive removal of tissue samples from the prostate, is often unecessary. If suspicious foci are present, the biopsy can be precisely targeted to the tumor using MRI – either by fusion biopsy or, even more precisely, directly in the MRI scanner under image control.
Even for the early detection of prostate cancer, the prostate MRI has proven to be by far the best method. It is far superior to palpation (DRU), the PSA test and ultrasound examinations. Post-operative cancer screening
Our brochure summarizes the key points on prostate cancer screening and diagnosis in an easy-to-understand way. Further information on this topic can be found at “vitusprivatklinik.com“. Our experts would also be happy to advise you.
