Why is prostate screening needed and what does a fusion biopsy give?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It ranks third in terms of mortality in Ukraine. Every year, 6,913 new cases are detected in our country, 17% of patients have not survived since the disease was detected. These are the data of the National Cancer Registry.

Screening can change the situation. Starting at the age of 45, every man must take a prostate specific antigen PSA test.

Simple examinations will help detect prostate cancer when it is just starting to develop. In this case, full recovery is possible. The main problem is that the disease does not manifest itself in the early stages. A man may not know that he is developing cancer, the symptoms grow over years, gradually. The specialist's task is to detect the disease as early as possible. And men need vigilance and compliance with the standard worldwide screening rule.

Starting at the age of 45, every man should be tested for the prostate specific antigen PSA. This is a protein that is secreted into the blood by the prostate itself. An increase in the level of more than 4ng/ml may indicate the development of cancer.

It is not necessarily cancer.

However, the first call to doctors is to examine the patient extensively and determine what problem has led to an increase in PSA levels.

In oncology, only the result of histological analysis gives an answer to the question of whether a tumor is benign or malignant.

In order to take the material for analysis, we perform a targeted biopsy of the prostate. For this, we use the most modern method - Fusion technology. That is, during the examination, a combination of ultrasound and MRI images takes place, after which, under ultrasound control, we perform a targeted biopsy of the previously indicated MRI area.

Why do we use fusion biopsy and what are its advantages over classic biopsy?

A classic biopsy is performed under the control of an ultrasound sensor. At the same time, the doctor must "take away" at least 12 pieces of prostate tissue. However, ultrasound examination does not allow the specialist to detect absolutely all suspicious areas - about 30% of such cells cannot be diagnosed during ultrasound. If only ultrasound is used, there is a high probability of obtaining a false-negative result and performing repeated biopsies.

That is why we use such an excellent modern diagnostic method as multiparametric MRI. The method allows doctors to accurately match the MRI image with the extent of the education. And as a result, we can perform a fusion biopsy.

How does this happen?

The MRI image is loaded onto the ultrasound system and the two images are combined in real time to determine the biopsy target.

The biopsy procedure itself is completely painless. During the study, the patient is in a medicated sleep and can be free 15-20 minutes after the procedure.

It is important. According to the European Prostate Center, the percentage of detection of malignant cells in a fusion biopsy is twice as high as in a classic biopsy.

Our men should not die of a disease that can be cured.

The specialist's task is to detect cancer as early as possible. And for this, it is necessary that men come to us for examination on time and regularly. With early detection, we can completely rid the patient of a dangerous disease.