Recent research has revealed that an MRI scan can accurately predict the likelihood of more aggressive prostate cancer in patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer within the next five years. This can help healthcare professionals in determining whether treatment is required immediately or through active surveillance over time. Â
Active monitoring is now the most common way to treat low-risk prostate cancer to reduce the risk of side effects that are caused by surgery or radiation. Low-risk patients have less than half of one lobe that is affected and has not muted much. But it is very difficult to choose the best treatment for intermediate-risk patients.Â
One of the reputed radiologists, Kiran Nandalur has raised concerns about the appropriateness of active surveillance for patients with slower-growing intermediate-risk prostate cancer, despite the standard of care for low-risk patients. He also said that this study has revealed that MRI can identify suspicious lesions based on size and tumor aggression markers. Hence it will help doctors in determining the appropriate treatment for these patients.Â
In this study, researchers involved 1500 low- and intermediate- risk patients in Michigan. They examined these patients to find out if individuals with suspicious MRI test results returned with a more advanced stage of the disease within five years. Â
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that 36% of participants who were monitoring their prostate cancer showed an increase in aggressive disease within five years. They used an MRI classification system and found that patients with high-risk imaging features were 130% more likely to have aggressive disease on follow-up as compared to those with low-risk results. Â
They also found that suspicious lesions on an MRI showed more than twice the risk of progressive disease in low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients. This finding was not previously seen in the intermediate-risk factor. Â
Researchers of this study said that a first MRI is very important for people with prostate cancer and their doctors because it can show if the disease will get worse in the future and help them plan treatment easily. Â
The Journal of Urology recently published these findings from this study. It shows that an MRI scan can predict whether a patient will develop a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Hence, healthcare professionals should consider this study while treating males with prostate cancer.Â
Reference Link:Â Â
Kiran R. Nandalur et al, Association of Baseline Magnetic Resonance Imaging Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Score with Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance Early Biopsy Reclassification: Data from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), Journal of Urology (2024). Â
