The role of novel imaging in prostate cancer focal therapy: treatment and follow-up

Purpose of review Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has fundamentally changed how intraprostatic lesions are visualized, serving as a highly sensitive means for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) via image-targeted biopsy. However, limitations associated with mpMRI have led to the development of new imaging technologies with the goal of better characterizing intraprostatic disease burden to more accurately guide treatment planning and surveillance for prostate cancer focal therapy. Herein, we review several novel imaging modalities with an emphasis on clinical data reported within the past two years. Recent findings 7T MRI, artificial intelligence applied to mpMRI, positron emission tomography combined with either computerized tomography or MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and micro-ultrasound are novel imaging modalities with the potential to further improve intraprostatic lesion localization for applications in focal therapy for prostate cancer. Many of these technologies have demonstrated equivalent or favorable diagnostic accuracy compared to contemporary mpMRI for identifying csPCa and some have even shown improved capabilities to define lesion borders, to provide volumetric estimates of lesions, and to assess the adequacy of focal ablation of planned treatment zones. Summary Novel imaging modalities with capabilities to better characterize intraprostatic lesions have the potential to improve accuracy in treatmen...
Source: Current Opinion in Urology - Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: NEW FRONTIERS IN FOCAL THERAPY IN URO-ONCOLOGY: Edited by Behfar Ehdaie and Rafael Sanchez-Salas Source Type: research